Meghan Markle Recalls Nostalgic First Date With Prince Harry As She Marks Milestone For Her As Ever Brand

Meghan Markle recently marked a milestone for her lifestyle brand, As Ever, with an Instagram video from a West Hollywood pop-up shop at Soho Home.

This caused the Duchess of Sussex to reflect on West Hollywood's role in her life and her first date with her now-husband, Prince Harry, in 2016.

Meghan Markle earlier shared how she and Prince Harry teach their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, about patience, community, and the value of food through gardening and a kid-sized market.

Meghan celebrated a milestone for her lifestyle brand, As Ever, sharing an Instagram video from a pop-up shop at Soho Home in West Hollywood, California.

In the caption, she described the visit as a "full circle" experience, noting that West Hollywood has long been intertwined with her friendships and even her "love story" with Prince Harry, whom she affectionately calls "H."

She recalled that their very first date took place at the Soho House London location at 76 Dean Street, in July 2016, a spot that holds special significance for them.

Excitedly inviting fans to visit, the duchess added: "Open to everyone, full collection available (and yummy @urthcaffe just across the street). Sounds like a good day to me!"

Meghan and Harry went on to marry in May 2018 and are now raising their children, Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, in California after stepping back from royal duties in 2020.

Meghan's Instagram clip was set to Diana Ross's "The Boss" and included glimpses of Melrose Avenue before moving into the Soho Home studio.

In the video, the royal showcased an array of As Ever products, which included teas, jars of honey, fruit spreads, and flower sprinkles. She smiled and clapped while taking in the festive display, even snapping a quick mirror selfie.

Since its launch earlier this year, As Ever has expanded from shelf-stable food products to include wine, candles, and seasonal items.

Meghan's recent Instagram post coincided with the Thanksgiving weekend, when she, Harry, and their children spent the holiday volunteering at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles.

The family, alongside the Archewell Foundation team, helped prepare meals for members of the community facing food insecurity.

Earlier in the year, Meghan talked about how she and Harry are teaching their children, Archie and Lilibet, about community and the value of food through hands-on experiences at their Montecito, California, home.

Their vegetable garden and a kid-sized farmer's market stand serve as practical lessons for the family.

"We grow a lot of veggies, and part of what I want them to learn is- and gardening is really so great for children, 'cause it teaches them patience, teaches them to value and appreciate their food," Meghan explained on a June 17 episode of the "Aspire with Emma Grede" podcast. "So you start from seed, and you watch it grow, and they wait. But with that, it's like, now do you want to sell your harvest? And do you want to share it with our community?"

"I think that's key for children to understand that, especially children who are very lucky to have a home that has privilege. You need to know that, just like manners and taking care of the things around you, there is a value on things," she added.

During her recent chat with Harper's Bazaar, Meghan got candid about her life as a working mother of two.

The U.S.-based royal noted that her home office is situated near her kitchen, which means her daughter, Lilibet, tends to come around during serious work meetings to climb into her lap.

"I hope they see the value of being brave," Meghan said, reflecting on what she hoped her kids learned from seeing their mother's work ethic.

The duchess further discussed seeing her kids face new challenges every day as they grow: "I watch them face things that feel completely insurmountable every day. But you can remember and say, 'I know it seems really hard right now, but trust me, that's going to come so easily soon.'"

She continued, "I can give myself the same grace as a founder. There's no such thing as perfect. I, too, get to make mistakes."

Meghan also shared that the family's service activities often precede their Thanksgiving celebrations, which they prefer to keep intimate and low-key.

Her mother, Doria Ragland, lives nearby and is always invited, along with friends who may not have family plans.

"You always make sure there's room at the table for friends who don't have family, which is really key," Meghan told Marie Claire in November 2024.

She added that watching her children grow and experience the holidays has become increasingly special.

"Now we're at the age where I just can't wait to see it through their lens every year," the duchess said. "We're always making sure we have something fun to do."