Meghan Markle admits ‘mistakes’ but says she is ‘learning every day’ as she works on her new business after Netflix ordered second series of her widely-panned TV show

Meghan Markle has admitted she makes ‘mistakes’ but insisted that she is ‘learning every day’, after her hotly-anticipated Netflix show was widely panned.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, said that her new lifestyle brand As Ever is her ‘heartsong’ as she gushed about her new venture.

In a wide-ranging interview with star-studded bookshop Godmothers – which was named by Meghan’s pal Oprah – she also discussed books they read to Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. 

It comes as the Montecito-based former actress has suffered a string of savage reviews and wide-ranging critical derision for her lifestyle series With Love, Meghan.

But Meghan, 43, seemed upbeat as she looked to the future while speaking with the booksellers – saying she is immersing herself in the ‘creative process’ and enjoying ‘nurturing’ her brand. 

She said: ‘Right now! I’m launching my business, As Ever, which has been my heartsong for years. 

‘Every day I’m learning so much as a founder. I’m taking baby steps and big strides at the same time, making mistakes and learning from them, and really working to find all the joy while diving into the creative process and the business. 

The Duchess of Sussex , 43, said that her new lifestyle brand As Ever is her ‘heartsong’ as she gushed about her new venture 

In a wide-ranging interview with star-studded bookshop Godmothers – which was named by Meghan’s pal Oprah – she also discussed books they read to Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. Pictured: With Harry on the TV show

‘Being in the granular parts of the business gives me the same feeling I have when I’m gardening: bare hands in the soil, planting a seed with so much care, and nurturing it as it grows. 

‘There’s something energizing about being in my 40s and turning my passion project into a business – and sharing that with the world.’

The bookstore’s name is believed to have been sparked by Prince Harry himself – who called Winfrey and founders Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and Victoria Jackson his ‘fairy godmothers’ at a 2023 party for his controversial memoir Spare. 

When Meghan’s documentary premiered on March 4, it failed to make waves with TV critics and home viewers alike mauling the show. 

Hollywood magazine Variety panned the Duchess of Sussex’s series as ‘a Montecito ego trip not worth taking’ in a no holds barred review.

But the delayed lifestyle series was slammed by critics after its premiere as ‘gormless lifestyle filler’ with a ‘tangible desperation’.

The series has a 19 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes from more than 1,000 viewers on review site Rotten Tomatoes.

But revealing a sweet insight into the life of Lilibet and Archie, as she said they treasure a book about dealing with heartache and a picture book about a cat.

The eight episode series shows Meghan inviting famous friends to her house and features brief appearances from husband Harry

With Love, Meghan launched on the Netflix at on March 4 at 8am UK time today and midnight in California

The Duchess shared a sweet gift from her husband and children. Meghan shared a photo of a large bouquet of flowers with a special card from her family. ‘Congratulations mumma!’ it read. ‘We love your show, and we love you.’The note was signed ‘Lili, Archie and Papa’. 

She said: ‘We’re deep in the world of children’s books and may I just say, I absolutely love it! So many picture books offer insights and perspective that I wish I had had exposure to as a child. 

‘Two current favourites: Brendan Wenzel’s They All Saw a Cat shows a cat from the perspective of a bee, a dog, and everything in between. To some, the cat looks scary; to others, it looks playful. 

‘It’s the best reminder that even as adults, we can all be looking at, or talking about, the exact same thing, but we’ll all see it differently. I’ve gifted this book to kids and adults. It’s amazing! 

‘The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld is an incredible book that reminds us that people need you to show up for them in different ways. Above all, it beautifully articulates the power of listening. Sometimes that’s all people need.’ 

The latter is about the importance of listening, and dealing with heartaches. It tell the story of a child who tries to build ‘something new, something special, something amazing’ before hurtful crows come along and tear it down.

Yesterday, it was revealed that Meghan’s series had been renewed for a second season despite the widespread reaction to her first shows.

The Duchess confirmed the news on Instagram this afternoon, when she uploaded a story with the caption ‘I’m thrilled to share that season 2 of With Love, Meghan is coming!’ 

Since Harry and Meghan signed the mega deal with Netflix in 2020, there has been one smash hit and three relative duds. 

The biographical ‘Harry & Meghan’ was the streaming service’s biggest documentary debut, viewed in almost 29 million households in its first four days, and proved a global sensation. 

Revealing a sweet insight into the life of Lilibet and Archie, as she said they treasure a book about dealing with heartache and a picture book about a cat

Meghan holds a chicken during an episode of her new Netflix show which came out today

The first products from Meghan Markle’s As Ever brand with Netflix have been revealed today

But Polo, a sports docuseries, Live to Lead – which focused on ‘global justice activists’ – and Heart of Invictus, about Harry’s games for wounded soldiers, proved lacklustre additions that failed to set the streaming service’s viewing figures ablaze. 

Moments from the Duchess’ new series sparked controversy with viewers, as they watched the show with hot anticipation.

In one episode, Meghan insisted her surname was Sussex as she corrected her celebrity friend and The Office star Mindy Kaling.

She called herself a ‘latchkey kid’ who ‘grew up with a lot of fast food and TV tray dinners’, listing off US chains Pollo Loco, Taco Bell and Jack In The Box.

But Mindy seemed to get under Meghan’s skin with her response, as she said: ‘I don’t think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack In The Box and loves it.’ 

Trying to hide her frown with a smile, she replied: ‘It’s so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I’m Sussex now.’ 

Others were left ‘disgusted’ after they noticed the ‘unhygienic’ way Meghan apparently stored ‘raw’ chicken in the third episode of the series that featured celebrated Korean-American chef Roy Choi.

In it, Choi – best known for his gourmet Korean-Mexican taco truck Kogi – and the former Suits actress bonded over a shared love of ‘karaoke and dancing’ in Koreatown while preparing a hearty meal of Korean fried chicken.

Speaking about her current read, Meghan chose ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’ by the former co-owner of legendary restaurant Eleven Madison Park – which she said hit home now she is in the hospitality industry

Others were left ‘disgusted’ after they noticed the ‘unhygienic’ way Meghan apparently stored ‘raw’ chicken in the third episode of the series that featured celebrated Korean-American chef Roy Choi 

At one point, the mother-of-two opens the fridge to reveal a row of parboiled chicken legs lying on a tray, right next to salad leaves, as viewers questioned why the poultry wasn’t covered or stored separately in a container in comments on X/Twitter.

But Meghan hit back in the interview – saying that organising her fridge is one of the activities she takes most pleasure in.

‘I love it when it looks pretty and organized,’ she told Godmothers. ‘And when there’s a beautiful veggie board at just the right eye-level, so the kids feel enticed to grab that first—and they do!’

Speaking about her current read, Meghan chose ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’ by the former co-owner of legendary restaurant Eleven Madison Park – which she said hit home now she is in the hospitality industry.

She said: ‘I recently finished Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, which I truly believe is one of the most impactful books on hospitality—and how we host, entertain, and care for each other. 

‘Will sees the world through the same lens that I do: Small acts of thoughtfulness create larger ripples of goodness. It’s one of my favorite reads.’

The Duchess of Sussex further gushed about her love for flower arranging and cashmere socks.

She also says she loves finding a good deal, and revealed that she still feels ‘triumphant’ sales shopping. 

The Duchess of Sussex further gushed about her love for flower arranging and cashmere socks 

Meghan added that she continues to play the childhood music she knew as a child to Archie and Lilibet, saying it ‘informed my eclectic taste in music, lyrics, and rhythm and soul’.

She continued: ‘That’s still reflected in what I play at home: The Beach Boys, The Supremes, Otis Redding, even Annette Funicello for fun pool-party music when the kids have a playdate. 

‘I love happy sing-along music that you can dance to in the kitchen, and I made sure that was represented in With Love, Meghan on Netflix.

Speaking to People magazine ahead of the release of her series the 43-year-old royal said filming her new show had helped her to rediscover her creativity – and that it had reignited ‘a spark’ in Harry’s eye.

‘It’s almost like a honeymoon period again because it’s exactly how it was in the beginning when he’d watch me scribbling away, writing newsletters, fine-tuning edits and just really being in the details of it,’ she told People magazine.

‘I think he loves watching as much as I love doing that creative process. It’s just been fun. This is who I’ve always been.’

Previously, the duchess had a significant setback when her $20 million Spotify podcast series was cancelled with Spotify executive Bill Simmons describing Meghan and husband Prince Harry as ‘grifters.’