Meghan Markle must be absolutely fuming right now. Burberry, the iconic British fashion house with trench coats older than Meghan’s entire acting résumé, has teamed up once again with Highgrove Gardens—yes, King Charles’s own royal backyard.
That’s right: Burberry x Highgrove is happening, and it’s serving serious “As Ever could never” energy. This isn’t Burberry’s first brush with royalty either. They’ve proudly carried royal warrants since the 1950s, first under Queen Elizabeth and now under King Charles, officially marking them as sanctioned curators of British elegance and tradition. Meanwhile, Meghan seems to be somewhere trying to competitively price raspberry jam like it’s the new status symbol.
The latest Burberry-Highgrove collaboration is a 28-piece capsule collection designed with artist Helen Bullock. It draws inspiration from wildflowers, honeybees, and—believe it or not—some rather photogenic cabbages. The aesthetic is best described as rustic refinement. Think Laura Carmichael and Elizabeth McGovern reclining in elegantly crumpled linen, sipping tea in a blooming English garden. It’s whimsical, it’s undeniably British, and it’s cheeky in the most tasteful way. It’s also a quiet but pointed royal flex.
Meanwhile, Meghan is likely biting into her lemon curd with a little extra force, watching Burberry bask in the glory of Highgrove’s wild garden while she drops vague Instagram teasers for her “As Ever” brand and touts a $14 jar of jam that’s supposed to stand up to the King’s gourmet preserves. She recently told Lemonada Media on her podcast that building her brand is a “constant state of recalibration”—which reads more like a euphemism for disorganized chaos in Lululemon.
Yes, she’s exuding “founder energy,” but it’s the type that feels more like a televised mystery box challenge. One moment it’s floral sprinkles, the next it’s a candle supposedly evoking “emotional resilience.” No one really knows what she’s selling or why. Meanwhile, King Charles is at Highgrove quietly running a polished garden empire, complete with chutneys, tea towels, and lemon soap, all in support of his charities. The Highgrove Shop isn’t just a boutique—it’s the embodiment of a long, thoughtful, and purpose-driven vision that balances sustainability with royal sophistication.
Meghan wants to position herself as a lifestyle authority, but instead of establishing a distinct voice for “As Ever,” it feels like she’s lobbing aesthetic spaghetti—and raspberry seeds—at the wall, hoping something lands. The real issue? She’s not speaking to her own audience; she’s chasing someone else’s. She seems to think she’s in competition with Highgrove, which is like assuming Trader Joe’s can rival Fortnum & Mason by tossing in some beeswax and floral packaging.
The only reason “As Ever” gets compared to Highgrove is because Meghan keeps forcing the comparison. She refuses to be seen as the budget duchess, so she price-matches jam like it’s a matter of royal pride. But the Burberry x Highgrove partnership isn’t just about clothes—it’s a stylish, strategic power play. It says: we do timeless, we do heritage, and we do it without the podcast monologues.
While Meghan continues to relaunch mystery items and serve up Instagram-friendly affirmations about hustle culture, Burberry is out there turning cabbages into couture and frolicking through royal gardens with effortless grace. Honestly, Meghan could debut a gold-plated lemon zester tomorrow, and it still wouldn’t touch the cheeky brilliance of Highgrove x Burberry. “As Ever” just can’t compete.
