Meghan Markle’s Peppermint Tea Slammed: £9.30 for 12 Teabags Branded a Cheap Highgrove Copy
Meghan Markle’s latest venture into the world of luxury goods has raised eyebrows yet again, this time with her American Riviera Orchard brand’s peppermint tea. Priced at a staggering £9.30 for just 12 teabags, the Duchess of Sussex’s “soothing and refreshing” tea has been met with ridicule, with critics calling it a blatant attempt to mimic King Charles’s prestigious Highgrove offerings. But does Meghan’s tea live up to the royal standard, or is it just another misstep in her quest to channel regal vibes?
Launched last week alongside eight other products, Meghan’s peppermint tea was touted as a personal favorite in the Sussex household. Yet, early reviews paint a less-than-flattering picture. Taste testers have described the flavor as bland and uninspiring, likening it to “hot water with a hint of disappointment.” One reviewer even compared it to “sipping the essence of a beige cardigan”—a nod, perhaps, to the cozy sweater Meghan sports on her Netflix series and promotes through her shop.
What’s really brewing the controversy, though, is the pricing. Meghan’s tea matches the premium price point of King Charles’s Highgrove teas, a move insiders say was deliberate. “She wanted that royal-level prestige,” a source close to the matter revealed. “It’s about perception—never about affordability.” But at £9.30 for a dozen teabags, many are questioning whether the cost matches the quality. Highgrove’s teas, known for their rich flavors and elegant branding, seem to justify their price. Meghan’s? Not so much.
Then there’s the packaging. Highgrove teas come in stunning, reusable tins that exude sophistication—perfect for displaying on a kitchen counter or gifting to a tea-loving friend. One fan raved, “The Highgrove tin is gorgeous and practical; I’d use it for years.” In contrast, Meghan’s tin has been described as forgettable, with a design that screams “bargain bin souvenir.” Some have even compared it to the kind of generic trinket you’d find in a tourist shop, complete with a logo that looks suspiciously like a riff on the Prince of Wales feathers, topped with Meghan’s handwritten-style flourish.
The teabags themselves don’t fare much better. Highgrove’s silky sachets feel indulgent, like a small luxury in every cup. Meghan’s, however, have been mocked as looking like they were slapped together in a rush, with little attention to detail. “It’s like they forgot what ‘premium’ means,” one critic quipped. And the flavor choice—peppermint—feels like a direct nod to Highgrove’s own offerings, leaving many to wonder if Meghan’s team ran out of original ideas.
Social media, particularly on platforms like X, has been relentless. Posts range from witty jabs about the price (“£9.30 for 12 teabags? Is it brewed with gold?”) to outright comparisons with Highgrove’s superior quality. The consensus? Meghan’s tea feels like an overpriced imitation, lacking the finesse to compete with a true royal brand.
In the end, Meghan Markle’s peppermint tea has steeped more mockery than admiration. While her ambition to craft a luxury lifestyle brand is clear, this latest product misses the mark—both in flavor and flair. For £9.30, consumers expect more than a tin that screams “knockoff” and a taste that fades faster than the headlines. Perhaps next time, the Duchess might brew up something truly her own.
