Meghan Markle faces criticism over As Ever partnership with Malala Yousafzai

Meghan Markle has faced criticism on social media after announcing a partnership between her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and Malala Yousafzai’s charity, the Malala Fund, with some users questioning whether the campaign combines charitable work with product promotion.

The Duchess of Sussex shared a collaborative Instagram post with the Pakistani education activist to mark International Day of the Girl.

The announcement stated that 100% of net proceeds from selected As Ever jams and teas would support the Malala Fund through a partnership involving Archewell Philanthropies.

The post also encouraged followers to shop through the brand’s website, prompting criticism from some users on X.

One commenter wrote: “Meghan Markle uses Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai to promote her As Ever tea and spread, and Malala is totally cool with it?!?!?!”

Another user questioned the photographs accompanying the announcement, claiming: “There you have it. The staged pap shots were to promote #asever”.

However, the source material provides no evidence that the photographs were staged. The announcement was published as a collaborative post featuring both women, and the campaign outlines a charitable purpose.

The Instagram caption included the statement, “When we support the girls of today, we empower the women of tomorrow. Access to education is the key to unlocking this,” highlighting the initiative’s focus on girls’ access to education.