Meghan Markle may have had her fair share of hits and misses with businesses. However, one thing that has remained constant is her commitment to uplifting small, women-led companies. Since 2020, the Duchess has been putting her money where her mouth is by investing in a small portfolio of female-run companies and backing brands that especially align with her values. And now, she has added yet another business to her investment portfolio- all in the middle of the career rough patch she and her husband, Prince Harry, are facing.

Meghan Markle became the first investor in a fashion brand after falling for their products and endorsing them without anyone knowing. 

Those who keep track of Meghan Markle’s fashion know that the Duchess does not just follow the crowd with popular brands. She is also always on the lookout for small, unique brands. And that is exactly how she stumbled upon Cesta Collective, a brand that specializes in handwoven basket bags. She announced her investment in the company during a recent interview with The New York Times. But that is not all. Markle has been seen carrying Cesta Collective bags on several occasions, including at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf.

At the Invictus Games, Markle wore a green handwoven sling bag, paired with her Zara belted romper and Celine blazer. She was also seen carrying Cesta's bags on various lunch and dinner dates in Montecito. Her knack for promoting brands she loves by wearing their products at high-profile events has been a game-changer for Cesta Collective. So much so that the owners penned a heartfelt thank-you note to Markle, even before she was an investor, which blossomed into a meaningful connection. This all unfolded amid Markle’s waning deal with Netflix.

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The Sussexes are not exactly in Netflix’s good books, a platform that was once the foundation of their Hollywood careers post royal exit. 

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry recently went on a four-day tour of Colombia, right after their controversial trip to Nigeria. While in the South American country, their Netflix projects ran into some major problems- like cameras that were not recording any sound. Netflix is now reportedly "fed up" with their projects, according to royal biographer Angela Levi.

Levi shared with GB News that Netflix is "not really keen on" the couple’s projects. It was also said that Markle’s need to control narrative of their projects played a part. This has only made the streamer more frustrated, putting their deal with the couple in jeopardy. Still, with Markle’s growing business ventures, the Sussexes might manage to stay afloat financially, even if Netflix decides to end their partnership.

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