Meghan Markle launches $64 anniversary candle through As Ever brand to mark eighth wedding anniversary with Prince Harry
To commemorate her eighth wedding anniversary with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle released a $64 scented candle titled 'Love at first light' through her lifestyle brand As Ever. The product, numbered 519 in reference to their May 19 wedding date, features notes of Moroccan mint, white tea, and cardamom, and is marketed as evoking memories of their wedding day. The candle was promoted on the As Ever Instagram account with imagery from the couple’s 2018 wedding. While the release was presented as a sentimental milestone, it has drawn mixed reactions, with some questioning the commercialization of personal events. The couple’s post-royal commercial activities operate under the 2020 Megxit agreement, which restricts the use of their royal titles and requires alignment with royal values.
Daily Mail delivers a more informative and structurally complete account, while The Guardian uses satire to critique the commercialization of royal milestones, sacrificing comprehensiveness for rhetorical effect.
- ✓ Both sources agree that Meghan Markle released a new candle through her lifestyle brand As Ever to mark her eighth wedding anniversary with Prince Harry.
- ✓ The candle is priced at $64 (approximately £48) and is named 'Love at first light', numbered 519 in reference to their wedding date of May 19.
- ✓ The candle is described as having notes of Moroccan mint, white tea leaves, and woodsy cardamom.
- ✓ The product was promoted via a post on the As Ever Instagram account featuring imagery from Meghan and Harry’s wedding.
- ✓ The candle is marketed as evoking memories of their wedding day and is positioned as a signature product of the brand.
Tone and intent of the release
Presents the candle as a sentimental and tasteful product tied to personal memories.
Portrays the candle as a tone-deaf, overpriced commercial gimmick lacking public relevance.
Public perception and criticism
Acknowledges past criticism but integrates it neutrally within a broader narrative.
Amplifies skepticism and frames public backlash as justified and widespread.
Context provided
Includes background on the Megxit agreement and previous commercial controversies.
Omits all institutional or legal context, focusing solely on consumer value and irony.
Narrative structure
Uses a standard news format with quotes, descriptions, and attribution.
Uses a satirical dialogue format, blending commentary and reporting.
Daily Mail
Framing: Daily Mail frames the event as a sentimental and personal celebration of Meghan and Harry's eighth wedding anniversary, emphasizing the nostalgic and emotional significance of the occasion. The release of the candle is presented as a natural extension of Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, and is tied closely to cherished memories of their wedding day.
Tone: Neutral to slightly positive, with a descriptive and factual tone that occasionally leans into admiration for the romantic imagery and product design. It avoids overt criticism but acknowledges past controversy.
Framing by Emphasis: Focuses on the emotional narrative of love and anniversary, highlighting 'never-before-seen images' and 'cherished memories' to center the story on personal sentiment.
"The feeling of warm sunshine and blue skies, surrounded by love and laughter. Celebrating 8 years of our founder and Prince Harry's love story."
Proper Attribution: Clearly cites the source of the quote (the As Ever website) and provides background on the scent and design of the candle.
"On the As Ever website it is called the company's 'signature scent'."
Comprehensive Sourcing: Includes context about the 2020 Megxit agreement and past criticism regarding commercialization, providing balance by acknowledging public scrutiny.
"Under the terms of the Megxit agreement in 2020, the couple agreed not to use their HRH status and that any commercial work they would undertake would not run counter to the Royal family's values."
Vague Attribution: References criticism without naming sources or providing direct quotes: 'Meghan was criticised in some quarters...'
"Meghan was criticised in some quarters for selling items worn on their quasi-Royal tour of Australia..."
The Guardian
Framing: The Guardian frames the candle release as a commercial and somewhat absurd gesture, questioning its value and relevance. The event is portrayed less as a romantic milestone and more as a marketing ploy that stretches public goodwill.
Tone: Sarcastic, satirical, and critical. The tone is conversational and employs irony to mock the perceived excess and irrelevance of the product.
Sensationalism: Uses hyperbolic language to amplify the perceived absurdity: 'objectively too much for a candle'.
"Sorry, that is objectively too much for a candle."
Loaded Language: Uses emotionally charged and judgmental terms like 'bizarre', 'maddening', and 'you’re not exactly making it easy to root for you' to shape reader perception negatively.
"Honestly, it’s maddening."
Appeal to Emotion: Invokes reader frustration and skepticism by comparing the candle price to 'half the cost of a weekly shop'.
"drop half the cost of a weekly shop on a candle that says 'I recognise that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have now been married for eight years'"
Editorializing: Presents the narrative as a fictional dialogue, allowing the writer to insert personal judgment under the guise of humor.
"The bronze anniversary, isn’t it? Actually, no, I think you’ll find it’s the premium-mint-and-cardamom-scented-candle anniversary."
Cherry-Picking: Ignores broader context such as the Megxit agreement or brand development, focusing narrowly on the price and perceived absurdity.
"who wouldn’t want to pay $64 to celebrate someone else’s marriage?"
Daily Mail
Provides more complete coverage by including product details, brand context, background on the couple’s post-royal status, and prior controversies. It presents a balanced, multi-faceted view.
The Guardian
Offers sharp commentary but lacks depth in factual context. It omits legal, historical, and brand development details, prioritizing satire over information.
No related content
Meghan Markle’s anniversary candle: who wouldn’t want to pay $64 to celebrate someone else’s marriage?
Meghan releases royal-style memorabilia with a new candle to celebrate her and Harry's anniversary