MEGHAN Markle used a sneaky “ploy” to make sure her pricey food brand sold out in minutes, a source claimed.
The Duchess, 43, finally launched her highly anticipated As Ever items, from £11 jars of jam to £22 limited edition honey.
Within half-an-hour the range was out of stock, prompting Meghan to post on Instagram: “Our shelves may be empty, but my heart is full!”
Fans snapped up the £11 raspberry preserve, which is marketed as a “luscious fruit-forward spread” in “elegant keepsake packaging”.
Shoppers also rushed to nab £9 teas, including lemon ginger, peppermint and hibiscus.
Theses were sold out alongside £12 flower sprinkles – promoted in endless shots throughout her Netflix show With Love, Meghan.
Meanwhile, the mum-of-two’s £11 shortbread and crepe mixes were also unavailable in less than an hour.
But a source said: “This is simply a marketing ploy.
“You make a relatively small amount available so it all gets bought and then you can say it’s so popular it sold out.”
It comes after the former Suits actress gave an interview from her £12million Montecito mansion to accompany the launch.
She invited a food writer from The New York Times into her home.
Prince Harry’s wife is said to be “clearly bothered” by critics who slammed her for being “out of touch”.
Meghan tried to shrug off the comments and said: “Don’t they know my life hasn’t always been like this?”
In an attempt to show she is down to earth, she reminded fans how she sometimes gives Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, frozen food like “tater tots”.
The New York Times journalist later wrote: “Meghan is upbeat and charming and always on-message when fielding questions from a reporter.
“But she is clearly bothered by accusations that she is unrelatable and out of touch.
“She may be living in a fairytale, but not all that long ago, she was a not-very-famous actress on a medium-popular TV series.
“She was divorced, in her mid 30s and unsure where her next job or home would be.
“Don’t they know my life hasn’t always been like this? she said, gesturing at the sweeping views and sleeping dogs.”
Meghan has been teasing her sweet preserves for over a year after initially launching American Orchard Riviera.
She originally sent 50 jars of the jam to influencer friends and family, alongside some homemade dog treats.
But the former Suits actress was forced to roll out her rebrand, As Ever, in February after being hit by a string of set backs.
Her jams also featured in her eight-part Netflix docuseries With Love, Meghan, as she entertained Hollywood pals and celeb chefs.
The mum-of-two’s business will also likely feature in her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.
Episodes, which offer advice and tales from women entrepreneurs, will air on April 8.
Meghan previously announced the As Ever drop in a newsletter, and informed shoppers the jam would arrive in “keepsake packaging”.
She wrote: “Ever since I can remember, I’ve been dreaming up easy ways to elevate the everyday into the exceptional.
“I always knew that I wanted to turn these ideas into something real, and to make beautiful items that spark connection and celebrate quiet, meaningful moments.
“Of course, you’ll find the raspberry spread that started it all, presented in keepsake packaging that you can repurpose to tuck away love notes or special treasures, and to remember this pivotal moment with me.
“Think of it as our time capsule.”
Meghan added: “And by the way, once you’ve enjoyed every spoonful of this fruit spread, you may want to do what I do: rinse the jar and use it as a small bud vase for flowers on your nightstand, or to hold your pens on your desk.”
The Duchess also encouraged her followers to follow their inner “value, creativity and joy”.
“You are you – As ever, and for ever,” she continued.
In a further inspirational comment, the Netflix star said “the biggest risk you can take is deciding not to take one at all”.
She once again emphasised the main point highlighted in her show – to “make the everyday exceptional”.
It is understood Ever products will likely be sold in Netflix Home stores.
The streaming giant revealed the first would be branches in Dallas and Pennsylvania.
This comes as Meghan hasalso released her own shopping page where fans can “buy her wardrobe” as her latest money-making venture.
She revealed she now has a “ShopMy” page featuring “a hand-picked and curated collection of the things I love — I hope you enjoy them”.
They include Heidi Merrick’s “Windsor” gown for an eye-watering £1,068, a £600 pair of Saint Laurent sandals, a £400 necklace and a £148 linen shirt.
All the clothes and accessories listed have links for followers to click and buy, and Meghan may get money when they do.
