PRINCE Archie and Princess Lilibet have a secret “auntie” in California, Meghan Markle revealed on her latest podcast episode.
On the third episode of Confessions of Female Founder, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, said her two kids refer to one of her friends as “Auntie Kadi” when she arrives.
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On this week’s show, Meghan sat down with “dear friend” and A-list colourist Kadi Lee, co-founder of Highbrow Hippie – which the duchess invested in last year – and said she is a huge hit with the kids.
Entrepreneur Kadi candidly shared on the podcast: “Maybe I’ll try a stint in Europe.
“I’m just a really naturally curious person, and I was not blessed with kids.
“I’m still holding out hope I might be a step mum or, you know, one day, but for right now, I’m just super aunt.”
Meghan cut in: “I mean, our kids love Auntie Kadi.
“It’s our favourite when they run out to the car saying ‘Kadi’.”
Kadi laughed: “I know I feel like I look for them first!”
Princess Lilibet, three, and Prince Archie, five, also call Meghan’s close pal and tennis legend Serena Williams “auntie.”
The duchess previously posted footage of her daughter with “auntie” Serena Williams as they played a game of Candy Land.
The clip also featured Bill Withers’ Lovely Day, with the caption: “When the aunties come to celebrate… and to play! Love you @serenawilliams.”
Former tennis champion Williams is a long-time friend of the duchess’ – with the pair having met at a Super Bowl party in 2010.
Ahead of Meghan’s appearance at Wimbledon in 2017, Serena said: “We have always supported each other, just been there for each other through a lot.”
Family strains
During the podcast Meghan made no reference to the kids’ real auntie, Princess Kate.
The Princess of Wales, 43, first met Archie a week after his birth in May 2019 with Prince William.
However, it is not known if Kate has met Princess Lilibet, who was born in 2021 in California.
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Shortly after the birth, Kate said: “I can’t wait to meet her. We haven’t met her yet. I hope that will be soon.”
It is thought that Archie and Lilibet also have no relationship with women on Meghan’s side who could be aunts, including her half-sister Samantha Markle.
Trademark woes
Also on the podcast, Meghan broke her silence on the drama surrounding her As Ever trademark.
The duchess revealed she “secured” the trademark back in 2022.
The 43-year-old has been embroiled in copycat drama over her brand since its launch.
Meghan told her podcast: “I had secured As Ever as a name in 2022, and then as everything started to evolve last year, and bringing in a partner the size that it was, it was just so interesting.
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“You remember, I said, ‘I like American Riviera as an umbrella,’ and then be able to have verticals beneath it. And maybe have the ‘Orchard’ really small. But when that’s not feasible … suddenly it became this word salad. I didn’t love that so much.
“I was like, ‘OK, let’s go back to the thing that I’ve always loved. Let’s use the name that I protected for a reason that had sort of been under wraps’.
“And then we were able to focus in the quiet and put our heads down and build on something that no one was sniffing around to even see about. It was really just helpful to have that quiet period.”
Meghan Markle’s ventures after stepping down as a working royal
THE Duchess of Sussex has kept busy since stepping down as a senior working royal in 2020 and relocating to California. Here are some of her business ventures…
- Archewell Foundation – A nonprofit supporting charitable initiatives.
- Netflix Deal – Producing content like Harry & Meghan and With Love, Meghan.
- Archetypes Podcast – Former Spotify show on female stereotypes.
- Clevr Blends – Investment in a women-owned wellness latte brand.
- Cesta Collective – Minority stake in a handbag brand supporting Rwandan artisans.
- As Ever – Previously known as American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand selling jam.
- ShopMy Page – Online store featuring her curated fashion and beauty items.
- New Podcast – Confessions of a Female Founder focusing on entrepreneurship.
Her original name for the business was American Riviera Orchard, but the Duchess said she was forced to change it because the term “limited” her to ingredients that are made in the area.
It later emerged that American Riviera is a nickname for Santa Barbara, and the patent office refused Meghan’s application because businesses can’t trademark places.
Her podcast will feature eight episodes and focuses on Meghan’s journey as an entrepreneur.
Her guest stars have so far included Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd and American lawyer and politician Reshma Saujani.
Meghan’s podcast follows her eight-part Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which saw her making meals and crafting with Hollywood pals.
