Meghan’s jam range is so out of touch – Netflix just wants its £100m back
MEGHAN Markle left numerous fans disappointed after her long-awaited jam sold out within the first hour of going live on her As Ever page.
However, royal experts have criticised her products for being “out of touch”, particularly given the prices ranging from £11 jars of jam to £22 limited edition honey.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive, news commentator Samara Gill said: “I don’t know what world she thinks she’s living in right now, if she hasn’t stepped foot outside the gates of Montecito to understand that.
“I don’t know if your average American is going to be dishing out 14 dollars for a pot of jam or it’s not really jam.
“It’s a strawberry preserve, of course. But I think the whole lineup is really, really out of touch.
“No one’s paying £12 pounds or $12 dollars for some tea.
“I looked at the royal family. They sell their own strawberry preserve. They sell that for £3. I think that’s a little bit more accessible.”
Fans snapped up the £11 raspberry preserve, which is marketed as a “luscious fruit-forward spread” in “elegant keepsake packaging”.
Shoppers also rushed to nab £9 teas, including lemon ginger, peppermint and hibiscus.
These sold out alongside £12 flower sprinkles – promoted in endless shots throughout her Netflix show With Love, Meghan.
However it has been debated whether Meghan used a “marketing ploy” of making a “relatively small amount available so it all gets bought and then you can say it’s so popular it sold out.”
Last year, Meghan sent 50 jars of the jam – initially under the brand name American Riviera Orchard – to influencer friends and family, alongside some homemade dog treats.
But the former Suits actress finally rolled out her company this month after being hit by a string of setbacks.
Samara continued: “With her original jam rollout, it was one of 50 that she was giving to her friends.
“I think it is going to be this exclusive type of range. And I’m sure they’ve kept the numbers small just to make sure that they don’t.”
Meghan’s As Ever products have been created in partnership with Netflix Consumer Group, following her eight-part With Love, Meghan cooking show airing last month.
What do we know about Meghan Markle's new cooking show, With Love, Meghan?
MEGHAN Markle's new Netflix documentary trailer shows her cooking with Hollywood pals.
The Duchess of Sussex gave fans an insight into her show, With Love, Meghan, which airs soon.
There will be eight 33 minute episodes featuring a host of Meg’s various Hollywood friends trying her simple, yet “elevated”, food.
A montage of various clips in the nearly two-minute video showed Meghan walking through vegetable patches and fields.
She was also filmed browsing florists, hand-selecting beautiful flowers for table arrangements, showing off her creative side.
The Duchess even tried her hand at beekeeping, fully suited up, as she collected honey.
In the exciting new trailer, Meghan shared: “I’ve always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it.
“Surprising people with moments that let them know I was really thinking of them.
“I’m going to share some little tips and tricks. I see what colour I gravitate to, and everything goes from there. And how you incorporate these practices every day.
“This is about connecting with friends… I love that we’re doing this together for the first time. Making new friends… and just learning.
“We’re not in the pursuit of perfection. We’re in the pursuit of joy. I have to get it totally wrong, to get it totally right.”
The trailer showcased many “candid” moments, from Meghan accidentally squeezing some lemon juice in her eye, to knocking freshly baked goodies off a plate.
Prince Harry featured at the end of the video, embracing his wife in a warm hug.
Royal author Phil Dampier claims that the media giant is now keen to “get some of their money back”, with the launch of the items.
He explained on the show: “I think having invested $100million in the shows that they did – and the thing about Polo, which universally panned – but I mean, they’ve obviously made a decision.
“They’re going to stick with them for the time being.
“They’re going to go for it, and they’re going in for a penny, in for a pound.
“And, you know, if they can get some money back with the merchandising, great.”
Samara agreed, saying: “Well, her sheer fakery when she sort of announced the cobbled together collaboration of her and Netflix.
“We know that that was a last minute decision.
“And I totally agree with you, Phil.
“They’re trying to get some of that $100million that they ploughed into this disaster back.
“They know that I think with their help, she’ll be able to actually get some products out there because I know that they were also having trouble even with production.
“I think they’re going to put these jams and whatever comes after that, tea towels, clothes, into the store and try and recoil some of the funds that they’ve got.
“It’s not this amazing collaboration that’s going to create a dynastical fortune for them. It’s just them groveling.”
It is understood Ever products will likely be sold in Netflix Home stores, as well as in seasonal drops online for US customers.
Meghan’s clothing venture
This comes as Meghan has also released her own shopping page where fans can “buy her wardrobe” as her latest money-making venture.
She revealed she now has a “ShopMy” page featuring “a hand-picked and curated collection of the things I love — I hope you enjoy them”.
They include Heidi Merrick’s “Windsor” gown for an eye-watering £1,068, a £600 pair of Saint Laurent sandals, a £400 necklace and a £148 linen shirt.
All the clothes and accessories listed have links for followers to click and buy, and Meghan may get money when they do.
Samara added: “The clothes are just another scramble for money.
“Those aren’t her clothes. She’s just making a small commission off the sales of them.
“So it’s just a sort of another ploy at her wanting to become a billionaire and also saving and solving world hunger at the same time.”