Reinventing Meghan Markle: Duchess Talks About Her 'Self-Investment' and Reflects on Growth Throughout Her Hollywood and Royal Journeys

As autumn 2024 approaches, Meghan Markle revealed in a new interview that she is focusing on "self-investment," which is both in herself and her multiple brands in her business portfolio.

A source told People the Duchess' American Rivera Orchard "will reflect everything that she loves — family, cooking, entertaining and home décor," which is "something she’s been wanting to do for a while."

The former actress' sit-down was mostly spent talking about fashion, and she approaches it both as a royal princess in her husband's styling and as a former actress still in the spotlight.

"Times where I know there is a global spotlight, and attention will be given to each detail of what I may or may not be wearing, then I support designers that I have really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven’t gotten the attention that they should be getting," she stated. "That’s one of the most powerful things that I’m able to do, and that’s simply wearing, like, an earring."

The Duchess added, "I spend a lot of time just Googling, looking for brands. When people are online looking for things or reading things, I’m trying to find great new designers, especially in different territories."

The rebel royal recently made headlines and sparked a fan frenzy when she was spotted carrying a Dior handbag embroidered with "Duchess of Sussex" during an outing in Montecito, Calif., on July 21.

Accompanied by actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Meghan's casual yet chic appearance quickly garnered attention on social media amid uproar over the non-working royal using her royal title.

The Duchess of Sussex's ensemble was a stylish blend of simplicity and sophistication. She wore a crisp white shirt paired with blue jeans, complemented by tan flats and a wide-brimmed hat. Her accessories, including a gold watch, Ray Ban sunglasses and delicate bracelets, added a touch of elegance to the casual outfit. But it was the Suits stars' choice of a personalized handbag that stole the spotlight.

This outing with Williams-Paisley, known for her roles in movies like Father of the Bride and TV series such as Nashville, highlighted Meghan's ability to mix high fashion with approachable style effortlessly. The appearance also sparked some conversations about Meghan's ability to pay homage to royal traditions while setting her own unique fashion statements.

Observers on social media noted that Meghan's outfit and accessories bore subtle resemblances to the late Princess Diana's style. The white shirt and jeans combo, along with the hat, evoked memories of Diana's casual looks that were both relatable and iconic. Meghan's choice of a gold watch was also seen as a nod to Diana, who was often seen wearing a similar accessory.

Some commenters simply were not having the "royal exploitation."

"She's so predictable," one wrote, while another labeled her outfit and inclusion of the royally-titled bag as "weird, weird, weird."

Meghan's brand is expected to launch during the spring of 2025 fully.