In yet another jaw-dropping chapter of Meghan Markle’s tumultuous foray into the lifestyle brand world, the Duchess of Sussex is facing fresh mockery and disbelief after multiple reports emerged of her high-priced candles arriving completely wickless. Yes, you read that right: customers shelling out $64 for what was billed as a luxurious, hand-poured “Signature Candle” from her As Ever line (formerly American Riviera Orchard) are opening elegant ceramic vessels filled with beautifully scented wax… only to discover there’s literally nothing to light.
The scandal first exploded in November 2025 when prominent podcaster and influencer Link Lauren unboxed his Signature Candle No. 084 on his show *Spot On With Link Lauren*. Expecting to review the Oprah-recommended brand’s holiday collection – featuring scents like water lotus, sandalwood, and California poppy meant to evoke Meghan’s California home – Lauren was left stunned and laughing in disbelief. “You guys, there’s no wick!” he exclaimed on camera, holding up the pristine wax with a visible dip where a wick should be centered. “Am I crazy? Where’s the thing that I light? This has to be a joke… this isn’t a stunt. There’s literally nothing to light in here.”
Lauren didn’t hold back, calling the defective product “unacceptable” and dubbing it a perfect metaphor for Meghan’s ventures: “Nothing’s lighting.” The clip went viral, racking up thousands of views and shares as fans and critics alike piled on. Social media erupted with memes and savage commentary, with one X user quipping, “Meghan Markle needs to stop mass ordering her pathetic candles from Temu!!! Another one shows up wickless? Girl, at this point it’s not a manufacturing error, it’s performance art. A $64 metaphor for ‘vibes only, no actual fire.'”
The issue didn’t stop with Lauren. Reports continued to surface well into 2026, with additional unboxings and complaints flooding platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and X. Podcaster Dana Bowling shared her own furious reaction: “How can I light a candle that lacks a wick? There is no wick in this candle. The instructions say, ‘Always trim wick to 1/4 inch before lighting.’ How?!” Even outspoken commentator Dan Wootton claimed he received a wickless version as a gag gift, branding it “cheap tat” and displaying it on camera: “No way to light this thing. Seriously, look!”
Critics argue this isn’t just a one-off manufacturing glitch – it’s symptomatic of deeper problems with As Ever. The brand, rebranded from American Riviera Orchard to allow broader product lines inspired by Meghan’s love of cooking, entertaining, and “thoughtful living,” promised premium, hand-poured items made in California. Yet the candles – priced at a steep $64 each for scents tied to personal milestones like her birthday (No. 084) or other evocative blends like Moroccan mint, cardamom, and tea leaves (No. 519) – have been slammed as overpriced and underdelivered. Detractors point to website glitches, slow sales (with inventory numbers barely budging in real-time trackers), and other quality control fails, like broken links and questionable “hand-poured” claims when products appear mass-produced.
Online forums, particularly Reddit’s critical communities, have dubbed it the “wickless candle saga,” with users joking it’s the ultimate symbol of “style over substance.” One viral post read: “Another wickless candle by Meghan Markle. As Ever, A FAILURE.” Others speculated on explanations ranging from shipping damage to intentional sabotage by haters removing wicks, but the pattern of multiple high-profile complaints suggests otherwise. Candle-making experts consulted in viral videos noted that wick disappearance could stem from poor wax shrinkage control in cold storage, but emphasized that reputable brands ensure consistent quality – something As Ever apparently overlooked.
Meghan’s defenders have pushed back, with some insisting the wickless arrivals are isolated or even faked for clout by critics. Yet the damage to the brand’s reputation is undeniable. Launched amid fanfare as an extension of Meghan’s vision for joyful, everyday luxury – complete with fruit spreads, honey duos, and now holiday additions like mulling spice kits – As Ever has struggled to gain traction. Sales trackers show minimal movement on key items, and royal merchandise from other sources reportedly outsells it handily.
This latest embarrassment comes as Meghan continues promoting her Netflix projects and lifestyle ethos, positioning herself as an authentic entrepreneur. But selling a candle without the one essential element needed to actually use it? It’s hard to spin that as anything but a glaring oversight. Social media users have turned it into endless fodder: “Who TF would pay $64 for a candle!!?” one commenter raged, while another summed it up: “Meghan, did you know that you are selling candles that have no wick?!”
As the backlash simmers, questions linger: Will As Ever issue refunds, recalls, or explanations? Or will this wickless fiasco join the growing list of missteps that have critics questioning whether Meghan’s brand is built on substance or just expensive packaging? For now, one thing is clear – in the world of luxury lifestyle, you need more than pretty scents and ceramic vessels. You need a wick. And right now, Meghan Markle’s candles are coming up short. Literally.
