Meghan Markle faced intense criticism on January 29, 2026, after fans accused a new As Ever campaign of heavy Photoshopping. The 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex appeared in a black-and-white image inspired by Audrey Hepburn, the British actress and fashion icon who lived from 1929 to 1993.
The photograph shows Meghan seated at a table reading an As Ever menu while wearing a white coat, sunglasses and a hat. Social media users quickly compared the aesthetic to Hepburn’s signature style, which frequently featured black sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats throughout her career as a fashion icon and muse to Givenchy. Hepburn remains renowned for her elegance and acting roles, most notably Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
As Ever is a lifestyle brand created by Meghan that focuses on cooking, entertaining and hostessing. The campaign text describes the brand as more than just products, calling it a love language. The collection is described as curated, with products meant to elevate the everyday and inspire moments of joy.
The campaign’s reminiscence of Hepburn’s style drew swift backlash from users who found the advertisement confusing and claimed Meghan’s appearance was heavily edited. One social media user recapped Hepburn’s legacy before questioning the comparison, noting that the British actress was a humanitarian.
“Audrey Hepburn (1929–1993) was a British actress, fashion icon (Givenchy’s muse) and a humanitarian, renowned for her elegance and acting roles, most notably Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” one person wrote. “Is Meghan selling jam while cosplaying an acting and fashion icon from the 60’s and 70’s? The bios are similar. If so, she forgot the gloves and the camouflage hat is a huge miss!”
Another user raged at what they perceived as an inappropriate comparison. “#AudreyHepburn she is NOT… no way!…nowhere near her!!! Disgusting ripoff and use of yet another style icon and woman who achieved so much without using or bullying others!!”
Other critics focused on the image quality itself, alleging extensive digital manipulation. Users claimed the black-and-white format aided in concealing heavy Photoshop work. Social media commenters questioned what the advertisement was meant to represent, with some noting edited features and questioning the styling choices.
The controversy marks the latest in a series of missteps surrounding As Ever promotions. In October 2025, Meghan was accused of holding tongs upside down while lifting a jar of preserves from boiling water in another campaign image. The incident sparked commentary from social media users who pointed out that the rubber part of canning tongs should go around jars to prevent slipping.
Before Christmas, the Duchess of Sussex faced additional criticism for decorating her space with muted holiday decor in promotional materials. Social media users questioned the lack of traditional Christmas colors and festive elements, describing the aesthetic as bland and lacking holiday cheer.
The comparison to Audrey Hepburn touches on a particularly sensitive area in celebrity branding. Hepburn’s image has remained iconic for decades after her death in 1993, with her style continuing to influence fashion and advertising. Her association with Givenchy created a lasting partnership that defined an era of elegance and sophistication in both film and fashion.
Lifestyle brands created by celebrities face unique challenges in establishing authenticity while navigating public expectations. The decision to evoke classic Hollywood imagery can enhance brand prestige when executed successfully, but risks backlash when audiences perceive the homage as derivative or insufficiently executed. The use of black-and-white photography in modern advertising deliberately recalls vintage aesthetics, creating nostalgia while potentially masking image manipulation.
As Ever’s focus on cooking, entertaining and hostessing places it within a crowded marketplace of lifestyle brands competing for consumer attention. The brand’s positioning emphasizes elevated everyday experiences, a common theme in celebrity lifestyle ventures that promise to bring elements of aspirational living to ordinary consumers. The concept of products inspiring moments of joy reflects broader marketing trends emphasizing emotional connection over pure functionality.
The series of controversies surrounding As Ever’s promotional campaigns highlights the intensified scrutiny that celebrity brands face in the social media era. Every image, styling choice and product demonstration becomes subject to immediate public analysis and criticism. What might have passed unnoticed in previous decades now generates rapid-fire commentary from thousands of observers examining details frame by frame.
Digital image manipulation in advertising remains a contentious issue, with consumers increasingly demanding authenticity from brands and public figures. The perception of heavy editing can undermine trust and generate negative publicity that overshadows the intended marketing message. As editing tools become more sophisticated and widely available, the line between enhancement and deception grows blurrier in public perception.
The criticism directed at Meghan reflects broader tensions surrounding celebrity entrepreneurship and public expectations of authenticity. When public figures leverage their fame to launch commercial ventures, audiences often hold those products to higher standards than they might apply to unknown brands. The challenge lies in balancing aspirational imagery with relatable authenticity, particularly when the celebrity’s personal brand carries political and cultural significance beyond mere entertainment.