Meghan Markle sends Mindy Kaling an As Ever gift package – after THAT awkward moment on her Netflix series

Mindy Kaling has shown off her As Ever gift package as she became one of the first lucky recipients of Meghan Markle‘s new business launch. 

The Office star, 45, became close friends with the Duchess after appearing on an episode of her cancelled Archetypes podcast with Spotify, and even appeared as a guest on her recent cooking show, With Love, Meghan. 

Their close friendship was confirmed when Mindy was one of the selected few to receive a sample of Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard jam last year. 

And it appears they’ve only gone from strength to strength ever since as Mindy took to her Instagram story to show off her impressive gift box of As Ever goods.

Accompanied by a note with her name in an elegant scrawl by Meghan, Mindy received the shortbread cookie mix, As Ever jam in a keepsake box, three types of tea, the crepe mix and the flower sprinkles – the total value of which comes to $93. 

The generous gift comes after fans noted a very awkward exchange between Meghan and her pal in her recent Netflix series. 

In the clip, which later went viral on social media, Meghan insisted her surname is Sussex, after Mindy referred to her as ‘Meghan Markle’. 

In episode two of the show, the former royal, 43, was joined by Mindy as she showed her fellow mother how to host a children’s party.

Mindy Kaling has shown off her As Ever gift package as she became one of the first lucky recipients of Meghan Markle ‘s new business launch

It comes after Mindy starred in Meghan’s Netflix cooking show (pictured) – and fans noted a very awkward exchange between them

As Meghan carefully demonstrated how to assemble a cucumber sandwich, the pair spoke about their favorite fast food growing up.

The Duchess of Sussex 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.’

As Mindy looked confused, Meghan, who has only visited Sussex once, continued: ‘You have kids and you go “No, I share my name with my children”.

‘I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to go “This is OUR family name. Our little family name”.

After being corrected, Mindy awkwardly responded: ‘Well, now I know and I love it.’

Mindy and Meghan, who first met after The Office star appeared on Markle’s now-defunct Spotify podcast, Archetypes, reunited in Meghan’s kitchen to film the second episode.

In the clip, which later went viral on social media, Meghan insisted her surname is Sussex, after Mindy referred to her as ‘Meghan Markle’

As Mindy looked confused, Meghan, who has only visited Sussex once, continued: ‘You have kids and you go “No, I share my name with my children”‘

The Duchess was teaching Kaling all of her tips and tricks for hosting a children’s birthday party, which included making a rainbow fruit salad and ladybug crostinis with tomatoes.

And, while the episode seemingly went off without a hitch as they successfully threw an adorable garden party in Markle’s backyard, there were some seemingly high-tension moments captured.

‘Mindy is greeted in the hallway, but the body language looks awkward,’ body language expert Judi James told DailyMail.com exclusively about Kaling’s entrance on the show.

‘There is an air kiss but it is overly-formal and Mindy bends her knees and pushes her pelvis back to avoid torso-touch,’ she continued.

However, the name incident wasn’t the only correction that the mom-of-two offered Kaling during their time together.

Markle also corrected the comedian’s pronunciation of expensive kitchenware brand Le Creuset.

‘When Mindy refers to Meghan’s bowls as “heavy-a** Le Creu-say” Meghan is quick to correct her pronunciation with no trace of humor in her tone,’ James observed.

She even noted that when Kaling humorously tries to lift the lid of her Le Creuset like they were weights, Markle ‘turns away to her fritatta,’ which she was plating up.

Meghan’s As Ever products launched last Wednesday and rapidly sold out

Meghan is also selling peppermint tea, ready made crepe mix and shortbread cookie mix with flower sprinkles

The Duchess’s flower sprinkles, which have sold out, cost £11.59 – and are also featured on Meghan’s cookie mix

Jennifer Walsh – who appeared in episode six of Meghan’s Netflix show – gushed on her Instagram story: ‘I’m in love with everything – especially the flower sprinkles that I don’t know how I ever lived without!

Tracy Robbins, who was in episodes six and eight, posted a screenshot of her order, containing shortbread mix and raspberry spread

Meghan’s close friend Jamie Kern Lima cheerfully said ‘I barely got an order placed in time’

‘The correction of her accent seems to lead to some lingering trace of resentment from Mindy who jokes to camera that, “Some of us have been to Europe,”‘ James told DailyMail.com.

Meghan’s series was slammed by reviewers as ‘gormless lifestyle filler’ with a ‘tangible desperation’ following its release.

Others said it shows the Duchess is ‘attempting to cling to fame by any means possible’, while another described how she was ‘joylessly filling kids’ party bags with seeds’.

Guardian TV writer Stuart Heritage said the series was ‘so pointless it might be the Sussexes’ last TV show’ and ‘might also be the final thing she makes for Netflix’.

The Telegraph gave the show just two stars. In a review, they said the series was an ‘exercise in narcissism, filled with extravagant brunches, celebrity pals and business plugs’. 

Despite the criticism, With Love, Meghan has been renewed for season two and is set to air in the autumn, with filming already having been completed.

And last week, she finally launched her lifestyle products, inspired by the meals and decorations she prepared in the series.  

Questions were raised after Meghan’s products rapidly sold out within half an hour – but her famous pals all managed to snap up stock. 

Meghan Markle had her new Netflix show ‘renewed for a second season’ just days after the first episodes were panned by critics and fans

As well as Mindy, Jennifer Walsh – who appeared in episode six of Meghan’s Netflix show – gushed on her Instagram story: ‘I’m in love with everything – especially the flower sprinkles that I don’t know how I ever lived without!’

Tracy Robbins, who was in episodes six and eight, posted a screenshot of her order, containing shortbread mix and raspberry spread.

And Meghan’s close friend Jamie Kern Lima cheerfully said ‘I barely got an order placed in time’ – while Kris Jenner seems to have been gifted a freebie.

Among the products included in the limited-edition drop were wildflower honey with honeycomb priced at $28 (£21.60) and some flower sprinkles at $15 (£11.60), while a jar of raspberry jam set punters back $14 (£10.80). 

Other goods in the Duchess’s lifestyle range included shortbread and crepe mixes – both being sold for $14 – and various herbal tea mixes for $12 (£9.30) each.

The Telegraph quoted what they called a well-placed source as saying the items had been made available in small quantities and quickly marked as sold out to generate interest, which is ‘a common marketing ploy’.

In a post on social media, Meghan wrote: ‘We’re live! Come shop the As ever collection I’ve poured so much love into. So excited to share this with you’, before adding ‘limited quantities for each seasonal drop’. 

Launching the range, Meghan told her followers in a newsletter that it’s a ‘love language’ rather than a brand.

In a gushing message to her followers, she wrote: ‘If you’ve been receiving these newsletters, you’ve been reading my musings about this brand and why it means so much to me – why it’s person, why it brings me joy, and how I hope that it becomes both personal and joyful for you too.

‘You’re now familiar with the line-up of products, and as of today you can order them for yourself to experience at home. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

‘Welcome to As Ever…this is just the beginning!’