MEGHAN Markle says she is planning to release a series of social media videos as she strives to bulk up her business empire.
The Duchess of Sussex appeared at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit in Washington DC, where she discussed her entrepreneurial journey and her evolving relationship with Netflix.
Meghan Markle stepped out solo in Washington, D.C. after her trip to New York City with Prince Harry[/caption]
The Duchess of Sussex appeared at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington[/caption]
She spoke on the second day of the event about the launch of her As ever brand and Netflix deal[/caption]
She revealed that the team is experimenting with ways to deliver content in different formats – from longer shows to bite-sized videos.
“Part of what we’re testing out now is, it’s amazing to sit and watch a show for 30 minutes, but how can I give you a recipe in two minutes? And where can I share that with you? And how that continues to grow as ever,” she said.
Taking to the stage at the Salamander DC Hotel, Meghan also reflected on the challenges of producing her new show, admitting the process has been a “year of learns.”
“So I think looking at that format – again, it’s a year of learns – so we’re able to say, ‘Eight episodes for two seasons – it’s a lot of work,’” she said.
Drawing on her past experience filming Suits, she explained that she knows just how demanding production can be.
“And having done Suits for seven years, I remember what goes into a production. I also recognize how much people want content in different sizes,” she added.
Meghan also gave a cheeky teaser about the upcoming holiday special, revealing it will feature her personal gift-wrapping tips – a nod to her pre-royal life.
“That’s not the full circle I was expecting, but here we are,” she said with a smile, recalling how she once taught “advanced gift wrapping” between acting auditions.
Meghan also spoke about life as a “high-profile business founder”.
She mentioned how she is “leveraging her significant influence to build a successful, long-lasting business empire” through her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
Her appearance formed part of a talk titled Next Level Influence: A Conversation With Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, hosted by Fortune’s editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell.
The event kicked off at noon local time (5pm BST) on the second day of the annual summit, which has been held since 1999 and attracts some of the world’s most powerful women in business, politics and entertainment.
Other speakers included actress Selena Gomez, former US Vice President Kamala Harris and Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Meghan discussed her new “first-look” deal with Netflix – a contract that gives the streaming giant the chance to approve her and Prince Harry’s TV and film ideas before anyone else.
She told the audience: “My husband and I were in an overall deal with Netflix – now being in a first look deal, which is also exciting because it gives us flexibility to go to our partners first, and then at the same time be able to shop content that might not be the right fit for Netflix but has a home somewhere else.”
The arrangement has been described by some commentators as a “downgrade” from their previous Netflix deal, but Meghan suggested it gives her more creative freedom to shape her projects.
She also hinted at future plans for her cooking and lifestyle series With Love, Meghan.
Asked about a third season, she said she is still “exploring all the options” but teased a holiday special set to be released next month.
“Well the holiday special is coming out in November and it’s a really good one. So we’re able to say eight episodes for two seasons – that’s a lot of work,” she said.
“And having done Suits for seven years I remember what goes into production – how much people want content in different sizes.
Meghan discussed her new “first-look” deal with Netflix – a contract that gives the streaming giant the chance to approve her and Prince Harry’s TV and film ideas before anyone else[/caption]
This marked Meghan’s first appearance at the summit in five years[/caption]
“So what we’re testing out now – it’s amazing to be able to sit and watch a show for 30 minutes but how can I give you a recipe in two minutes and be able to share that with you – and how that continues to grow As Ever.
“So exploring all the options of what that could look like.”
Other speakers included actress Selena Gomez, former US Vice President Kamala Harris and Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
The Duchess founded As Ever earlier this year – a lifestyle brand inspired by her love of cooking and entertaining.
A description for the event reads: “Earlier this year, the Duchess of Sussex, launched As ever, a brand inspired by her love of cooking and entertaining.
“She has also been involved in a number of Netflix shows, including her recent lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, and launched podcasts.
“She joins us to discuss the opportunities and challenges of life as a highly visible founder, as well as how she plans to leverage her significant influence to build a successful, long-lasting business empire.”
This marked Meghan’s first appearance at the summit in five years. She last spoke at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Next Gen Virtual Summit in October 2020, where she discussed “courageous leadership” and “how she learned to lead on a global stage”.
For her return, Meghan opted for a $328 blue and white strappy dress by African American designer Tracy Reese, from her sustainable label Hope for Flowers.
Back in 2020, guests were reportedly required to pay $1,750 for tickets, with attendance limited to invited guests willing to pay the steep registration fee.
Her Washington appearance comes at a busy time for Meghan.
Just last week, she and Prince Harry made a string of public outings in New York, where they were honoured with a Humanitarians of the Year award.
On Thursday, the couple attended the World Mental Health Day Gala, where Meghan spoke about their concerns for their children, Archie and Lilibet, growing up in a digital world.
She said: “Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming.
“Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits, while safeguarding against its dangers.”
The Duke of Sussex, 41, was recognised as “a humanitarian, mental health advocate, environmentalist, and military combat veteran”, while Meghan was celebrated as “a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist”.
Her packed schedule has also included a whirlwind Paris Fashion Week appearance, where her bold black-and-white Balenciaga looks made headlines.
Her trip to the Balenciaga Spring-Summer 2026 show was billed as her debut in the world of high fashion – but it didn’t go entirely smoothly.
Meghan shared an awkward kiss with designer Pierpaolo Piccioli, accidentally bumping heads during their embrace.
She also faced criticism after being caught on camera appearing to laugh when a model stumbled on the catwalk – though her team insisted she was not laughing at the fall.
Mr Piccioli later revealed that Meghan had personally asked for an invitation to attend the show, calling it a “beautiful surprise”.
The Duchess described the visit as “the culmination of many years of… friendship” with the designer, though his comments suggested their connection was more casual.
Meghan’s latest high-profile appearance at the Washington summit underscores her ongoing efforts to balance global scrutiny with her ambitions to build a lasting brand – one she says she hopes will endure long after the headlines fade.
Meghan spoke about the criticisms she has faced in her life at the Fortune Most Powerful Women summit[/caption]
