A photo of Meghan Markle arranging flowers briefly appeared on her As Ever brand’s Instagram page Thursday evening—only to vanish minutes later after it coincided with major royal news.
The Duchess of Sussex, based in Montecito, had shared an image of herself smiling at the camera while working on a floral display. But the post disappeared shortly after Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor would be stripped of his princely title.
Palace Announcement and Its Impact
The timing couldn’t have been worse. The Palace statement confirmed that Prince Harry’s uncle would now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, marking a striking fall from grace for the former Duke of York.
According to The Mail, sources said Meghan deleted the upbeat post to avoid appearing insensitive amid the breaking news surrounding her husband’s uncle.
Released Thursday evening, the Palace’s official statement declared that “censures are deemed necessary,” despite Andrew’s continued denials of the allegations against him.
King Charles III has reportedly begun formal steps to remove his brother’s style, titles, and honours, with royal warrants issued to the Lord Chancellor.
The statement also confirmed that Andrew must give up his lease on Royal Lodge in Windsor—his home of over 20 years—and move into private accommodation.
Decision Made by the King Alone
Palace insiders emphasized that the decision came solely from King Charles and his close advisers, without any influence from the Government or other senior royals, including Prince William.
“The process has been underway for some while, but there was a need to get it right in the face of some very big challenges,” one insider revealed.
Social Media Overlap Sparks Speculation
Supporters of the Duchess suggested online that the As Ever post had been pre-scheduled, but was swiftly removed once the Palace statement became public.
The overlap between Meghan’s Instagram activity and the royal announcement quickly drew attention, prompting debate over whether it was appropriate to share promotional material during such a sensitive family moment.
Meghan’s Brand and Holiday Collection
The deleted photograph showed Meghan surrounded by flowers, part of the ongoing promotion for her new lifestyle venture’s holiday collection, launched earlier this week.
The festive range includes Signature Candle No. 519, priced at $64 (£48), said to capture “cherished memories” from her May 2018 wedding through notes of Moroccan mint, cardamom, and tea leaves.
Another item, Signature Candle No. 084, references Meghan’s August 4 birthday and blends scents of water lotus, sandalwood, and California poppy.
The collection also features a 2021 Vintage Napa Valley Brut champagne priced at $89 (£67) per bottle, with a minimum order of twelve bottles to waive the $20 (£15) delivery fee.
Despite pulling the initial photo, As Ever has continued its marketing campaign by reposting customer images featuring the new festive products.
