Author: bang5

Monty Don has been the face of the BBC’s Gardeners’ World since 2003 and has won the hearts of the nation with his passion for horticulture in his own garden, Longmeadow

Beloved host of Gardeners’ World Monty Don has confessed to “faking” scenes on his popular BBC show. The 69-year-old horticulturist and broadcaster first graced our screens on the long-standing programme back in 2003, and since then, he’s become a national treasure with his heartwarming show.

Now, Monty has shed light on the creative measures taken to ensure certain segments are timely and relevant. In the latest issue of Gardeners’ World magazine, he revealed: “We start filming the new series of Gardeners’ World at the beginning of March.”

He went on to explain: “Filming at Longmeadow takes place on a Tuesday and Wednesday for the Friday of the following week, i.e. 10 days ahead of broadcast to allow time for the editing process”.

Monty Don has lifted the lid on some of Gardeners’ World’s biggest secrets ( 
Image:
(Image: Brentwood Gazette))
He further added: “So, when I go round the garden prior to the meetings, I am weighing up what will be relevant in three weeks’ time, as well as what is looking at its best right now.”

Monty also shared: “I also list the real-life garden jobs I want to get on with and share with you,” before adding: “The production team then converts this plan into a filming schedule, while I brief my team in the garden on what they have to do for the programme, as well as what they must not do.”

The Express reports Monty has revealed some behind-the-scenes slip-ups on filming, including a time last October when he had to reverse gardeners’ hard work for the show: “Last October, the leaves on the Long Walk were immaculately raked and taken to the leafmould bay, but we wanted to film the process, so I had to scatter them over the grass again, ready for filming”.

After landing a new gig away from Gardeners’ World, with his recent series Monty Don’s British Gardens being broadcast last month, fans were concerned about his tenure on the BBC favourite.

However, he reassured viewers, telling Radio Times: “I never make plans beyond two years, but I’ve agreed to do another two (from January 2025).

“Every time I think, ‘Am I really going to do this?’ But the truth is that I do enjoy it. I’m lucky because it’s in my own garden. If the programme is made well, I’ll continue.”

Coronation Street viewers were left mocking an incident with villain Rob Donovan on the ITV soap on Monday night, as a stumble over a stair railing sparked death theories

Not all Coronation Street viewers were entertained on Monday night after a pretty dramatic episode.

After Rob Donovan did the unthinkable and kidnapped his own sister Carla Connor at gunpoint, the race was on to save her with girlfriend Lisa Swain on hand. Things went wrong pretty quickly though as Rob attacked Lisa before turning on his poorly sister.

Carla was recovering after her life-saving kidney transplant, which Rob was the donor for. Rob had been planning his prison escape and wasn’t initially going to actually be Carla’s donor.

Its only when Lisa tricked him into the operation with a false pledge to have his sentence overturned that he went ahead with it. So when Lisa went back on her word Rob vowed revenge, leading to him kidnapping Carla with the help of prison officer Mandy, his secret lover.

Lisa got caught in the crossfire too and was brutally attacked by Rob before he claimed to Carla she was dead. As Carla sobbed fearing her partner had been killed, Rob continued to taunt her and a showdown ensued.

By showdown we mean Carla running at Rob and taking her own revenge, shoving him in anger. With that aired “the most stupid” scene, according to fans, as Rob took a tumble.

Not all Coronation Street viewers were entertained on Monday night after a pretty dramatic episode ( 
Image:
ITV)
We say a tumble, it was more like an acrobatic manoeuvre which fans certainly saw the funny side of. But not everyone was amused, with some slamming the twist on social media.

Carla shoved her brother and he flew down some steps and hit a wall, but it’s what happened next that left fans in disbelief. Rob bounced off the wall he’d slammed against before falling over the bannister and hitting the floor below.

As he screamed, Rob somehow toppled over the railing in a straightened position. As he landed Carla gasped, only for Lisa to walk in and question what had happened amid speculation he was dead.

Coronation Street viewers were left mocking an incident with villain Rob Donovan on the ITV soap on Monday night ( 
Image:
ITV)
But she wasn’t the only one questioning it, as fans fumed on X about the episode and the fall scene. Some called it “ridiculous” as others commented it was “stupid”.

One viewer posted: “What a ridiculous final scene of Rob pushed down the stairs,” as another added: “That scene of Rob bouncing off the wall and hurling himself over the bannister was in keeping with the rest of this plot line, over the top and totally ridiculous.”

A third viewer posted: “The most stupid episode in 65 years.” A fourth said: “A ridiculous fall,” as another commented: “What a stupid fall.”

EastEnders viewers watched as the Queen Vic burst into flames in tonight’s episode of the BBC soap, however some are convinced that it won’t be the only tragedy to hit the Square

Walford went up in flames in tonight’s episode of EastEnders, with Reiss Colwell crashing his car into the Queen Vic and causing a gas explosion.

With the pub collapsing and the flames getting higher with many Albert Square residents trapped inside, Ian Beale and George Knight watched on in horror after being thrown to the ground by the explosion.

The big stunt is to mark EastEnders’ 40th anniversary, culminating in a live episode on Thursday which will see Denise Fox pick either her husband Jack Branning or lover Ravi Gulati.

EastEnders has teased that not everyone will make it out of the fire alive as Sonia Fowler goes into labour and trapped residents try to escape – however, fans think that the explosion won’t be the only tragedy to hit Walford this week.

Jack Branning runs into the Queen Vic to rescue those trapped during the explosion ( 
Image:
BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

The Walford residents are left reeling after a gas explosion in the Queen Vic

After watching the pub collapse during the explosion in tonight’s episode, some fans are convinced that we’ll see the bridge collapse in the aftermath – causing a train to crash in a deadly accident. Viewers took to social media to point out that train noises had been heard a number of times over the last few episodes, which could potentially be a clue.

“The train sounds??? #eastenders,” one fan wrote. While another said: “Did we ever find out what happened with the train stuff that was being teased around the time of Christmas/New Years?? #Eastenders does anyone remember??”

Meanwhile, another viewer retweeted a teaser for the 40th anniversary special that featured Walford East Station, writing: “Why was it so focused on the train station? #EastEnders.”

EastEnders fans are certain that Walford will be hit by another tragedy after the Queen Vic explosion ( 
Image:
BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Fans are convinced that the worst is yet to comeAs for tonight’s episode, the train could be heard yet again throughout the episode – once while Grant Mitchell, Linda Carter and Nigel Bates tried to stop Phil Mitchell from committing suicide, and again earlier on.

Tuesday night’s episode saw Cindy Beale’s attacker finally revealed, as her mother-in-law Kathy admitted to trying to kill her. In captivating scenes, Kathy explained her reasoning for hitting Cindy over the head with a shovel, admitting that she wanted payback after Cindy cheated on Ian.

“I thought anything could happen, his heart but you know what, at least you were gone. At least he was safe from you,” she said. “Oh no – there you were, traipsing past the house. Back,” she said.

The mother-of-five was left heartbroken as she helped a family from Leeds declutter their home while the mother revealed she had been diagnosed with incurable breast cancer

Stacey Solomon had to step away from the camera, overwhelmed with emotion, while filming her show ‘Sort Your Life Out’ as she assisted a family from Leeds in decluttering their home. The TV star was moved to tears when helping Ben and Lynda Brearly-Baird, along with their five-year-old daughter Charlotte, tackle their incredibly cluttered house, which included a garage jam-packed from floor to ceiling.

Among the items they had to sort through at the warehouse were an astonishing 53 tool boxes, 239 scarves, and 619 pieces of wood. In a particularly touching moment, Lynda, who has been diagnosed with incurable breast cancer, shared with Stacey her intention to declutter to make a positive change for her family.

She showed mum-of-five Stacey a memory box she was preparing for Charlotte, knowing she wouldn’t be there as her daughter grew up, which deeply affected the presenter. “I’ve actually started one myself for unfortunately, ever since (I realised) at some point I won’t be here anymore,” Lynda confided.

“So this is a box I bought before and then I’ve just been (adding to it).”

Stacey Solomon helped the Brearly-Baird family declutter their home ( 
Image:
(Image: BBC))

She continued, revealing her plans to leave messages for Charlotte’s future milestones: “I’ve also got a notebook that random thoughts have come into my head that I’d probably say to her when she’s a teenager, when she’s a bit older, and things like that… My aim is to do something for her wedding day…or if she ever has children, if I was there, this is what I’d be thinking to you,” leading to Stacey’s emotional reaction, as per the Express.

“The worst fear for me was when I was first found out, Charlotte was still quite young, is that she won’t remember me. I want her to remember me,” tearfully disclosed the guest. Stacey, trying to provide comfort, reassured her: “There’s something so beautiful and positive about what you’re doing here.”

Following this heart-wrenching moment, Stacey was seen on camera, visibly upset, as she reflected: “I’ve never gone through a section where somebody is aware that there’ll be memories they’re going to miss. I don’t want to get upset because I feel like really that’s not my job, like I’m here to help this family, and it’s not happening to me, it’s happening to them,” before being overwhelmed by emotion and burying her head in her hands.

Apologetically, Stacey sobbed: “Sorry, it’s not about me. I’m sorry,” struggling with the resonance of the situation. “I’m just finding it really difficult. Charlotte’s the same age as my little boy. I just think, oh, god,” she wept, expressing the universal pain of such a prospect.

“There’s nothing worse is there. I’m so sorry,” she cried, stepping away from the camera to regain her composure.

Stacey wasn’t the only one deeply moved, as viewers at home shared their own emotional responses. One viewer wrote on Twitter (now X): “Oh Stacey, I was holding it together until you went. Such a lovely gift to give this family in an unimaginably horrible situation.”

“@StaceySolomon Just cried with you. What a beautiful family and omg little Charlotte is adorable; she’s a very kind special lady. I’m in bits already. Life is so cruel. Time is a gift #sortyourlifeout,” another viewer shared, deeply moved by the emotional scenes. Another added their voice, writing: “Now this is hard making a memory box. Life can be so unfair #sortyourlifeout.”

A third expressed their feelings: “Oh, Stacey got so emotional. She’s so empathetic. This family’s story is so sad because they’re such a lovely couple and the daughter is a little star. #SortYourLifeOut,” while a fourth remarked on the poignant moment.

A fifth person reflected on their personal connection to the show’s theme: “Oh blooming heck this episode’s got me a mess. My Mum got diagnosed when I was 38 and mercifully is absolutely fine now. The notebook for her little girl has broken me #sortyourlifeout.”

And a sixth commented on the heart-wrenching preparation made by a mother for her daughter: “Doing a memory box for her daughter just incase she doesn’t see her grow up = wow sad #sortyourlifeout.”

Emmerdale’s Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle has ‘spoken out’ about the mystery surrounding the missing body in an interview with This Morning

Emmerdale’s Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle in the soap has addressed the mystery surrounding the body found amid the deadly limo crash.

On Monday night’s episode, ITV viewers saw Amy Wyatt plunge through the ice and become trapped. As she battled to get out of the ice, she was horrified when she came across a decomposing corpse in the water’s depths.

Panicking and screaming, she tried to get out, although she seemingly lost consciousness. As the episode aired, fans were left questioning whose body it could be, as they took to X, formerly known as Twitter to share their stories. As some believed it could be recently murdered Anthony Fox, others had another idea.

Jeff Hordley spoke about the recent storyline on Tuesday’s This Morning ( 
Image:
ITV)
Many were convinced it was the body of Nate, as they spotted a bracelet that matched the ones made by Tracy and Nate’s daughter Frankie. Plus, his tattoo sleeve ‘gave it away’ for many fans.

Nate left the soap in September, although his exit was never shown. It came after He was beaten up by Cain after Caleb wrongly told his brother that Nate and Moira were having an affair. No one has heard from Nate since his exit, with fans ‘convinced’ he’s dead.

Now, Jeff who plays Nate’s onscreen dad, has spoken out about the mystery surrounding the body. In an interview on This Morning, hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary couldn’t help but question the star – although he wasn’t giving anything away.

Fans are convinced the body is Cain’s son Nate
“Well I can’t tell you that Alison,” he said with a laugh. “But somebody else is under there. It could be – I don’t know who it could be,” he teased, as Dermot exclaimed: “It could be anyone!”

“It could be a postman we’ve never seen!” laughed Jeff. Is Jeff remaining coy because his onscreen son is the mystery corpse?

Elsewhere in the interview, the Emmerdale legend opened up about 25 years on the ITV soap, as he reflected on when he first joined. “It is a long time,” he said. “I remember joining many years and saying ‘I’m doing two years’. Two years then turned into six and then I left for a bit and then came back.

“It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’m really proud to still be here, to be honest with all these characters going!”

Recently, the star opened up on how he ‘worried’ about his future on the show, as he recently told The Sun: “I’m worried all the time! Not all the time, that’s a little bit over the top.

“Every time there’s news of this it can unsettle us as a cast because we know the shelf life of characters is not forever in soaps, and it’s down to the producers or the writers to steer the ship and take us in the direction they want to take us.”

The latest edition of Loose Women suddenly became tense on Tuesday afternoon (February 18) after Janet Street-Porter quickly put a stop to her co-star’s line of thinking

Things took an awkward turn during the latest episode of Loose Women as Janet Street-Porter appeared to shut down her co-star minutes into the show.

On Tuesday’s episode (February 18), Janet was back on the panel alongside Ruth Langsford, Brenda Edwards and Kelle Bryan. As the ladies discussed their childhoods and how they had the freedom of playing outdoors, Kelle highlighted the differences effecting children these days.

Sharing her worries about her own offspring, Kelle said she’s afraid of the increasing amount of kidnappers that are patrolling the streets. But Janet, who is familiar with previously playing out with her friends as a youngster quickly put a stop to Kelle’s line of thought.

As Kelle tried to express herself, Janet said: “Can I just stop you right there. The incidents of kidnapping children is very, very low.”

Janet Street-Porter appeared unimpressed with Kelle’s brash statement ( 
Image:
ITV)

She also went on to add that kidnappers have always been around and things haven’t suddenly changed.

Trying to defend Kelle’s argument, Ruth jumped in to say that should could understand Kelle’s worries as a parent of young children today. But she also admitted that although there are dangers, it’s important to remember that kids need a sense of freedom when they get older.

Following Kelle’s brash comments, fans headed straight over to social media site X to share their thoughts. Many viewers seemed to think that maybe Kelle was a bit over the top with her line of reasoning.

One viewer said: “Bl**dy hell Kelly calm down, can’t wrap them in cotton wool, protect them absolutely, don’t smoother them.” Another said: “Kelle very much on the defensive there.”

A third shared: “Are children kidnapped and abducted more nowadays than they were when we were little? I don’t think so,”

While a fourth added: “Kidnappings etc happened in ‘my’ day too – nothing new unfortunately.” Another also fumed: “Kidnapping?? Is she f****n serious??”

Kelle’s comments appeared to rattle viewers ( 
Image:
ITV)Kelle, who has two children, previously said she longed to be a mother from a young age. She told Mother and Baby: “I come from a huge family: mum has eight siblings, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

“It seemed like someone was giving birth every five minutes, but it was never my turn. Fortunately I met Jay, my husband, and now we have healthy, happy babies.”

Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV1.

Loose Women star Linda Robson has opened up on her best friend Pauline Quirke’s dementia diagnosis and said that the actress “doesn’t know who anybody is” anymore

Loose Women’s Linda Robson has shared a heart-wrenching update on Pauline Quirke’s battle with dementia, revealing that the actress “doesn’t know who anybody is” anymore.

Last month, Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen announced that his wife would be retiring from acting and all professional duties following her dementia diagnosis in 2021.

Reacting to the news, Pauline’s Birds Of A Feather co-star and lifelong friend Linda Robson expressed her heartbreak for her best mate, whom she’s known since they were both 10 years old.

The pair have been working together since the early days of their careers, but are most famous for their roles as feuding sisters whose husbands are imprisoned in the sitcom that first aired on BBC in 1989.

Loose Women’s Linda Robson recalls tragic miscarriage

Linda recently disclosed that she has FaceTimed Pauline several times this year and plans to visit her later this month, reports Bristol Live.

Speaking at the TV Choice Awards to The Sun, Linda opened up about the harsh reality of Pauline’s condition, stating that they will be “taking everything really slowly for her”.

Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia ( 
Image:
Anthony Harvey)
She revealed: “She doesn’t know who anybody is. She doesn’t know who I am or who her kids are. Dementia is terrible – I’d rather get cancer, because at least then you’ve got a chance.”

Linda, whose own mother suffered from dementia, declared that she wouldn’t consider doing another episode of Birds Of A Feather as it “wouldn’t be the same without Pauline”.

The sitcom wasn’t the only project where the best mates teamed up. Quirke, 65, and Robson joined forces in the slapstick movie ‘Junket 89’, and the series ‘You Must Be Joking! ‘ back in the 1970s, before reuniting for ‘Shine On Harvey Moon’ in the 1980s.

Robson also featured on Quirke’s chat show ‘Pauline’s Quirkes’, which she started hosting as a teen. Linda, now 66, was visibly moved to tears when she spoke about Pauline’s diagnosis on Loose Women last month, receiving comfort from her fellow panellists.

In a heartfelt chat with Heat magazine, Linda opened up about those emotional moments, stressing how “so important” it is to discuss the condition.

She revealed: “I’ve known about it for three years. We’d managed to keep it quiet until her husband Steve decided it was time to let everyone know.

“We’ve been best friends since we were 10 years old so it’s been really, really hard. One in two people get dementia now. My mum was one of them and loads of my friends’ mums are starting to get diagnosed.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, raced Hamish Greenstreet down the slopes in Whistler, near Vancouver in Canada, where the Invictus Games is taking place this week

Poignant footage captures Prince Harry challenge a 10-year-old boy to a tubing contest at the Invictus Games.

The royal, 40, raced schoolboy Hamish Greenstreet down the slopes in Whistler before celebrating with a triumphant “yes!” at the finish line. Hamish, whose dad is competing in the Games for Team Australia, met the Prince and Meghan alongside his mum Angela and brother Taj at a friends and family event in Whistler on Tuesday morning.

He admitted he had been “a bit nervous” to race Harry, but described the experience as “really fun” and “exciting”. When asked if he had ever met a prince before, he exclaimed: “Hell no!”.

Hamish had earlier urged Meghan: “Go down the thrill lane!”. But the mum-of-two made clear she was too scared and responded: “No way!”. The duchess later completed a ride on the slower lane, before putting her hands on her head and exclaiming: I mean! You guys! Well, we did it!”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Elizabeth Holmes (@eholmes)

Speaking about her husband Harry, she added: “Meanwhile he’s racing on the thrill lane with a ten-year-old!”. Meghan, 43, had earlier squealed as she set off own the snow-covered ramp, admitting: “No, no I really don’t want to do this.”

It comes after it was revealed that the Duchess won’t be joining Harry at the rest of the Games – instead travelling back to Montecito to see her children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

Speaking to Hamish’s brother Taj, the duchess asked: “Did you go down the thrill lane?” “No, I went down the chill one,”. Their mother, Angela Greenstreet, became tearful when asked what Invictus has meant to their family.

The Duke of Sussex went tubing during his Invictus Games trip ( 
Image:
WireImage)

The royal is pictured high-fiving Hamish in Whistler following the race
Speaking to royal writer Elizabeth Holmes, who was given special access to the event, she said: “It’s been a lot of therapy for my husband, just getting into sport and doing things and realizing it’s OK to not be OK. I’m very grateful to Prince Harry for speaking out about mental health. He’s not a normal guy. Prince Harry’s the prince.

“But he suffers just like everybody else, so it’s truly amazing that everybody suffers, no matter where you come from. Everybody is touched by the military. We’re very grateful he’s spoken out and made Invictus what it is.”

Meghan and Harry were filmed walking hand-in-hand to the start of the tube run before she left Whistler shortly afterwards in order to return to California to care for their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.

She landed back in California on a private jet on Tuesday afternoon local-time after spending five days at the multi-sport competition after arriving in Vancouver alongside Harry, 40, on Friday.

Meghan Markle has taken to Instagram to announce that she is rebranding her lifestyle brand and ditching American Riviera Orchard in favour of a new name – and her new website features a snap of daughter Princess Lilibet

Meghan Markle has announced a huge U-turn by ditching her American Riviera Orchard brand name in favour of another – with a subtle dig at the Royal Family.

The Duchess of Sussex has taken to Instagram to reveal that her brand will now be called As Ever – and its launch will tie in with the release of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, which drops on the streaming platform in two weeks. A new website for As Ever has also been launched featuring a picture of Meghan running hand-in-hand with daughter Princess Lilibet.

Meghan had suffered a series of setbacks when it comes to trademarking the name American Riviera Orchard, which could explain the switch to As Ever. However, speaking in a video on Instagram that appears to be filmed by Prince Harry, she said: “Cats out of the bag, I’m shocked we’ve kept it a secret for so long…”

Meghan announcing her rebrand as being called As Ever ( 
Image:
@Meghan/Instagram)

Meghan announced the news on Instagram ( 
Image:
@Meghan/Instagram)
“Last year, I thought you know what, American Riviera, that sounds like such a great name, it’s my neighbourhood [and] its a name for Santa Barbara. But it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area. Then Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show [With Love, Meghan] but as my partner in business. It was huge

‘So I thought about it, and I’ve been waiting for a moment to share a name that I had secured in 2022, and this is the moment, and it’s called As Ever”.

Meghan is no stranger to sharing lifestyle tips as she previously ran the successful blog The Tig, which she closed down just before marrying Harry. And in a subtle dig at the royals after previously saying she wasn’t allowed to do certain things when she was a member of the Firm, she added: “I’ve always loved cooking, crafting and gardening. This is what I do and I haven’t been able to share it with you in the same way for the past few years but now I can.”

When American Riviera Orchard was first announced last year, Meghan sent out samples of jam to some of her celeb pals who posted about it on Instagram. And teasing her As Ever products, she explained: “Of course there will be fruit preserve. I think we’re are all clear at this point that jam is my jam. There’s so many more products that I loved [and] use in my home. It’s time to share it with you. So I can’t wait for you guys to see it. Thanks guys.”

The snap that features on Meghan’s new website featuring Princess Lilibet ( 
Image:
As Ever)
In the caption of the clip, Meghan wrote: “Some of you may have heard whispers about what I’ve been creating. In two weeks, my series on @netflix launches — but there’s something else I’ve been working on. I’m thrilled to introduce you to As Ever — a brand that I created and have poured my heart into.

“‘As ever’ means ‘as it’s always been’ or some even say ‘in the same way as always’. If you’ve followed along since my days of creating The Tig, you’ll know this couldn’t be truer for me. This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language, beautifully weaving together everything I cherish — food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living, and finding joy in the everyday.

“I will keep sharing behind the scenes tidbits with you here as we ramp up to launch, and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on everything we’ve been creating. Sending lots of love…As ever, Meghan.” She does not address her previous trademark woes and it appears that As Ever has also not yet been given a trademark.

Meghan in a teaser for her previous brand American Riviera Orchard ( 
Image:The new website, similar to American Riviera Orchard, also features a place for people to subscribe for updates and features the slogan ‘Save Your Seat At The Table’. The logo shows a palm tree with two hummingbirds. According to a patent application for As Ever, which was made in 2022, it suggests it will sell items such as tablecloths and napkins as well as candles, spreads and jewellery.

Since launching her new Instagram account on New Year’s Day, she has used the sign off As Ever several times, including on the photo she shared of Harry and her kissing to mark Valentine’s Day.

The new launch comes as Meghan struggled with her trademark application for previous brand name American Riviera Orchard. Last September, it emerged her application to have her brand trademark had been rejected. She was then given three months to respond to the “nonfinal officer action” issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She was also warned that failure to do so could result in her application being abandoned.

She then encountered another stumbling block as a protest against trademarking the brand was lodged with the USPTO by the owners of the ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark. The ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark is owned by Harry & David, a US-based premium food and gifts retailer, for its ‘Royal Riviera Pears’, which are grown in the state of Oregon. The letter of protest, seen by The Mirror said there was a ‘likelihood of confusion’ and the case was referred to Marco Wright, the Trademark Office’s examining attorney.

Meghan Markle has posted a brand new bombshell video on her Instagram account revealing her American Riviera Orchard brand has been renamed as As Ever – and it seems the clip is filled with hidden details – plus one thing she fails to address

Meghan Markle has announced a huge U-turn with her lifestyle brand in a bombshell Instagram video.

In a candid clip, seemingly filmed in her garden, Meghan revealed that she is ditching her American Riviera Orchard brand name in favour of new title – As Ever. Its launch will tie in with the release of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, which drops on the streaming platform in two weeks. A new website for As Ever has also been launched, featuring a sweet unseen picture of Meghan running hand-in-hand with daughter Princess Lilibet.

Meghan is no stranger to sharing lifestyle tips as she previously ran the successful blog The Tig, which she closed down just before marrying Prince Harry. And it seems there are several hidden details in the announcement you might have missed – as well as a glaring issue that Meghan fails to address…

Prince Harry cameo

In the new clip where Meghan explains her decision behind the rebrand, she chats to the camera in a garden wearing a casual white shirt and jeans. And it appears she is helped in the filming of the clip by Prince Harry, who can be heard at the very start.

Meghan announcing her rebrand as being called As Ever ( 
Image:
@Meghan/Instagram)

Meghan announced the news on Instagram ( 
Image:
@Meghan/Instagram)

When the video starts, Harry can be heard saying: “It’s recording” before appearing to pass the phone to his wife, who laughs nervously and says: “Okay”.

Last week, Meghan joined Harry at his Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler for several days before returning to California to return home to their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. And it appears Lilibet is also part of the rebrand as a picture of her and mum Meghan appears on the new As Ever website.

Fleeting family member appearance

However, it is not just Harry who is part of the video, in a blink and you’ll miss it moment, another family member appears. Right at the start of the clip, one of the couple’s dogs can be seen wandering around in the background. It appears to be their beagle Mia, who has been a part of their family for the last few years.

The couple also has a black labrador called Pula. Last month, Meghan announced the sad news that their other pet beagle Guy had died.

Subtle dig at royals

During the clip, Meghan explains the thinking behind her new brand, and explains how she has always been a fan of cooking, crafting and gardening. She previously shared similar tips on her lifestyle blog The Tig, which she ran in her days as an actress on Suits but shut down when she married Harry.

Meghan with the Royal Family at Sandringham in 2018 ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
And in a subtle dig at the royals after previously saying she wasn’t allowed to do certain things when she was a member of the Firm, she added: “I’ve always loved cooking, crafting and gardening. This is what I do and I haven’t been able to share it with you in the same way for the past few years but now I can.”

When American Riviera Orchard was first announced last year, Meghan sent out samples of jam to some of her celeb pals who posted about it on Instagram. And teasing her As Ever products, she explained: “Of course, there will be fruit preserve. I think we’re are all clear at this point that jam is my jam. There’s so many more products that I love [and] use in my home. It’s time to share it with you. So I can’t wait for you guys to see it. Thanks, guys.”

Meaningful jewellery

In the video, Meghan appears dressed down in a casual outfit, but also wears her well-known pieces of beloved jewellery, including her engagement ring and Cartier watch. But she also sports another piece – a bold red heart necklace.

Meghan shows a glimpse of her red heart necklace ( 
Image:
Meghan/Instagram)

Meghan with her pal Kelly McKee Zajfen ( 
Image:
Getty Images for Children’s Hosp)And it appears the ‘Heart of Gold’ pendant has been designed in collaboration with her pal Kelly McKee Zafjen, with some of the proceeds going to charity. The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles received 15 per cent of the necklace sales, with Gwenyth Paltrow also being spotted wearing one.

The charity is close to Kelly’s heart as her late son George died in July 2022 aged just nine after being found unresponsive in the family home.

Also on full view in the video is Meghan’s new signet ring, which she has been spotted wearing on her pinky finger that features her and Harry’s joint royal cypher. It has been reported that the piece was a gift from Harry for their wedding anniversary last year.

Name hint

In the caption accompanying her video, Meghan explains the reasoning behind the new name, As Ever.

She says: “‘As ever’ means ‘as it’s always been’ or some even say ‘in the same way as always’. If you’ve followed along since my days of creating The Tig, you’ll know this couldn’t be truer for me. This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language, beautifully weaving together everything I cherish — food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living, and finding joy in the every day.”

But it seems the new name may have been hiding in plain sight on her newly-launched Instagram account all along. In nearly all the posts on the new account, Meghan has signed them off As Ever – possibly as a sign of things to come.

However, one major thing that Meghan fails to address in the video is her struggles with trademarking her previous name American Riviera Orchard, which may have played into the urgent rebranding.

Last September, it emerged her application to have American Riviera Orchard trademarked had been rejected. She was then given three months to respond to the “nonfinal officer action” issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She was also warned that failure to do so could result in her application being abandoned.

She then encountered another stumbling block as a protest against trademarking the brand was lodged with the USPTO by the owners of the ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark. The ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark is owned by Harry & David, a US-based premium food and gifts retailer, for its ‘Royal Riviera Pears’, which are grown in the state of Oregon. The letter of protest, seen by The Mirror said there was a ‘likelihood of confusion’ and the case was referred to Marco Wright, the Trademark Office’s examining attorney.