Some customers who believed they had secured a jar of Meghan Markle’s new apricot spread were sent emails saying their orders could not be fulfilled
Meghan Markle has been forced to give away some of her jam for free after an awkward glitch on her As Ever website. Last month, Meghan dropped brand new items from her lifestyle brand, including an apricot spread, as well as restocking other products including her flower sprinkles.
But it has emerged that some customers who thought they had secured the £7 apricot spread have now been sent emails telling them that they would not be receiving the products, due to high demand. And to rectify the situation, not only would they be receiving a full refund but also be sent a jar of the spread for free when it is back in stock.
The email sent to customers said: “‘Due to high demand, we are unable to fulfil your order of the apricot spread at this time. We are refunding the purchase of this item by the end of this week.
“In addition to the refund, we want you to know that when the apricot spread is back in stock, you will be the first to receive it, free of charge.”
The glitch emerged as Meghan’s new rose wine, which is said to “capture the essence of sun-drenched outdoor moments” and costs more than £20 a bottle, sold out within an hour yesterday.
Meghan launched her As Ever Napa Valley Rose 2023, described as having “soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality, and a lasting finish”, on Tuesday. The beverage, priced at more than £65 for a minimum three-bottle order, had only appeared to be available for US customers to buy, with shipping addresses limited to America.
The wine went on sale at 4pm UK time, but the site was updated less than an hour later to signal stocks were sold out.
In a post on Instagram, the duchess’ As Ever brand said: “It’s here! Raise a glass to the newest addition to the As Ever family. Our beautiful Napa Valley rose is now available”. A short clip showed the wine being poured into a glass, with an accompanying sound.
The pale pink wine, in a clear bottle with a white gold-rimmed label, was launched on a dedicated wine.asever.com where an over-21 birth date must be inputted to enter and where the drink was described as: “A delicately balanced rose with soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality, and a lasting finish.”
The site adds: “Reminiscent of the finest Provencal styles, it’s crisp, pale in color, and effortlessly elegant – crafted for slow afternoons and golden-hour gatherings. This rose captures the essence of sun-drenched outdoor moments through its thoughtfully crafted blend.”
The wine was not available to buy in orders of less than three bottles. Three bottles cost 90 US dollars (£65.64), six bottles cost 159 dollars (£115.97) including a 12 per cent discount, and 12 bottles are priced at 300 dollars (£218.81) including a 17 per cent discount.
Shipping, which begins on July 9, costs an additional flat rate 20 dollars (£14.59) per order. Napa Valley wine country is in northern California, around 50 miles from San Francisco.
