Martha Stewart Questions Meghan Markle’s Transition Into Lifestyle Industry: “It Doesn’t Sort of Follow”

Martha Stewart has shared her thoughts on Meghan Markle’s transition from actress and member of the British royal family into the world of lifestyle content, suggesting that the career shift is not an obvious one.

The longtime lifestyle icon discussed Meghan’s new direction during an interview for her People magazine cover story published on August 5. While reflecting on Meghan’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan, Stewart questioned how the Duchess of Sussex moved from one public identity to another.

Stewart explained that moving between completely different industries can be challenging, especially when audiences are expected to accept a new image from a public figure.

“If you are an actress, then suddenly becoming a princess, and then moving from being a princess into becoming a homemaking personality on television, it’s not necessarily a natural progression,” Stewart said. “It doesn’t sort of follow. So you have to go from there.”

Her comments came while discussing Meghan’s entry into the lifestyle space, where the former Suits star has focused on topics such as cooking, entertaining, home design, and personal style.

Martha Stewart Briefly Met Meghan Markle

During the interview, Stewart also revealed that she had recently met Meghan in person at a social gathering in California.

The two women were both guests at the same dinner party, although Stewart said their interaction was brief.

“We were both at a dinner party in California,” Stewart recalled.

She explained that Meghan had recently returned from a visit connected to her former royal life, but the pair did not have an extended conversation.

“She had just returned from the palace,” Stewart said. “I didn’t really speak with her beyond exchanging a few words, but I know she was discussing it.”

Despite their limited interaction, Stewart said she was aware of Meghan’s continued efforts to establish herself in the lifestyle industry.

Stewart Previously Emphasized the Importance of Authenticity

This was not the first time Martha Stewart has commented on Meghan Markle’s lifestyle ambitions.

Earlier, Stewart discussed Meghan’s move into the industry and highlighted the importance of having genuine knowledge and experience when building a lifestyle brand.

In a previous interview with Yahoo Lifestyle in July 2025, Stewart admitted that she did not personally know Meghan very well but expressed hope that the Duchess understood the subject matter she was presenting.

“I don’t really know Meghan very well, and I hope she knows what she’s talking about,” Stewart said.

The businesswoman then explained that authenticity is one of the most important elements of success in the lifestyle world.

“For me, authenticity is everything,” Stewart said. “Being authentic and truly knowledgeable about your area of expertise is extremely important.”

According to Stewart, audiences can recognize when someone has a genuine passion and understanding of a topic compared with someone simply following a trend.

Meghan Markle’s New Lifestyle Direction

Meghan Markle’s lifestyle career began gaining attention after she launched her Netflix series With Love, Meghan.

The show features Meghan sharing content related to food, hosting gatherings, gardening, home decoration, and personal wellness.

The project represents a major shift from her previous career as an actress and her time as a working member of the royal family.

Before marrying Prince Harry, Meghan was best known for playing Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits. After her marriage in 2018, she became internationally recognized as the Duchess of Sussex.

Following her decision to step away from royal duties with Prince Harry in 2020, Meghan began exploring new business and media opportunities.

Her lifestyle brand and Netflix projects are part of an effort to create a new professional identity outside the royal institution.

Building a Lifestyle Brand in a Competitive Industry

The lifestyle industry has long been associated with personalities who have built credibility through years of experience.

Figures such as Martha Stewart have created successful careers by developing expertise in areas including cooking, gardening, home design, and entertaining.

Stewart’s comments appear to highlight the challenge faced by celebrities who enter this field without a long-established connection to the subject.

A successful lifestyle brand often depends not only on popularity but also on trust from audiences.

Consumers typically look for personalities who appear knowledgeable, relatable, and genuinely connected to the topics they discuss.

For Meghan, creating that connection with viewers may be one of the biggest challenges as she develops her new career path.

However, Stewart also acknowledged that she does not oppose others entering the lifestyle space.

She said she does not have a problem with people following a similar path and wished newcomers success as they attempt to build their own platforms.

Different Views on Meghan’s Career Move

Since launching her lifestyle projects, Meghan has received both support and criticism.

Supporters argue that she is using her creativity and public platform to explore interests she has always enjoyed, while critics question whether the transition feels authentic.

Meghan’s supporters point to her previous work with charities, her interest in cooking and wellness, and her experience creating content as reasons why the move makes sense.

Critics, meanwhile, believe that moving from Hollywood actress to royal figure and then lifestyle entrepreneur requires audiences to accept several major identity changes.

Stewart’s remarks reflect a broader conversation about how public figures reinvent themselves and whether audiences embrace those transformations.

While Meghan’s journey is different from Stewart’s, both women have built careers around personal branding and public connection.

As With Love, Meghan continues to attract attention, the Duchess of Sussex’s success in the lifestyle industry will depend on whether viewers connect with her message and believe in her expertise.

For now, Meghan remains focused on developing her new brand, while established figures like Martha Stewart continue to emphasize that authenticity and knowledge are essential ingredients for long-term success.