In the ever-watching world of British royalty, few departures from Kensington Palace have generated as much quiet speculation as that of Natasha Archer. For more than fifteen years, Archer served as a trusted personal assistant, stylist, and eventually senior private executive assistant to the Prince and Princess of Wales. She was part of the innermost circle, supporting Kate Middleton through major life moments including the births of her three children, overseas tours, and more recently her cancer treatment and recovery. Yet now, just months after leaving royal service last summer, Archer has launched her own style consultancy business, and the aesthetics of her new venture are drawing striking parallels to Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand, As Ever.
The Daily Mail highlighted the similarities in a recent article, asking pointedly whether Kate’s former right-hand woman had “fallen under Meghan’s spell.” Archer’s newly public Instagram account features a clean, minimalist feed with cream-colored backgrounds, monochrome tones, and motivational captions focused on “creating something elevated” through attention to detail. These elements echo the polished, aspirational style of Meghan’s As Ever promotions, which emphasize elevating everyday moments into something meaningful and connected. Both women use soft lighting, candid photography, mood boards with aspirational imagery, and refined logos — Archer’s stylized “NA” cypher mirroring the elegant simplicity seen in Meghan’s branding.
Archer began her royal career around 2010, initially working as a personal assistant to Princes William and Harry. After William and Kate’s 2011 wedding, she transitioned to become Kate’s dedicated PA. Over time, her role expanded significantly. She took on styling duties, helping curate the Princess of Wales’s wardrobe to project a more regal image during international tours, including Australia, Canada, and the notable 2019 visit to Pakistan where she coordinated custom outfits with designer Maheen Khan. Archer was also known for blending high-street pieces from brands like ASOS and Topshop with designer looks, and she even influenced updates to Prince William’s personal style. Her loyalty ran deep: she was spotted delivering a now-iconic polka-dot Jenny Packham dress to the Lindo Wing after Prince George’s birth in 2013, and she remained a steady presence during Kate’s health challenges, including collecting her from the London Clinic after surgery.
In 2018, Archer was honored with the Royal Victorian Order for her service. That same year, she gave birth to her son Theo, coinciding with the arrival of Prince Louis. She is married to royal photographer Chris Jackson and is a mother of two. When she announced her departure last year, both William and Kate publicly wished her well on her new chapter, acknowledging her long and dedicated contribution to their household.
The timing and visual language of Archer’s new business have fueled online discussion. Last year, royal watchers noticed that Archer had followed Meghan Markle’s Instagram, the As Ever account, and several members of Meghan’s inner circle, including makeup artist Daniel Martin, actress Abigail Spencer, Delfina Blaquier, and Heather Dorak. She later unfollowed some of those accounts after the activity gained attention, though she reportedly continues to follow others such as Suits star Sarah Rafferty and businesswoman Emma Grede. These digital breadcrumbs, combined with the aesthetic overlaps in her promotional content, have led to speculation about inspiration sources.
Meghan Markle’s As Ever brand, which includes products like honey and jam, promotes a lifestyle philosophy of turning simple ideas into “real” and beautiful items that spark connection and celebrate quiet moments. Archer’s messaging carries a similar refined tone, speaking of understanding needs, refining through detail, and creating elevated experiences. While there is no evidence of direct collaboration or contact between the two women, the visual and thematic resonances are hard to ignore in the eyes of royal observers.
This development arrives against the backdrop of ongoing public interest in the differences between the Wales and Sussex households. Kate has long been associated with classic, approachable British style — polished coat dresses, structured looks, and a sense of duty-driven elegance. Archer played a key role in shaping and maintaining that image for years. Her shift toward a more stripped-back, millennial-beige, lifestyle-focused brand now invites comparisons to the California-based aesthetic favored by Meghan.
Yet Archer’s departure appears amicable on the surface. She stayed largely out of the spotlight during her palace years, focusing instead on supporting the royal family behind the scenes. Her new consultancy is positioned as a natural evolution for someone with deep expertise in personal styling, wardrobe curation, and executive assistance. Launching on or around April 2-3, 2026, the venture allows her to offer private services drawing on the refined taste she honed over a decade and a half in one of the most scrutinized environments in the world.
The story reflects broader trends in how former royal staff transition to independent careers. Many leverage their experience discreetly, but in the age of social media, visual choices inevitably invite scrutiny and comparison. Whether Archer consciously drew from Meghan’s playbook or simply shares overlapping tastes in modern lifestyle branding remains a matter of interpretation. What is clear is that her long service to Kate was marked by professionalism and loyalty, helping the Princess navigate everything from high-profile tours to deeply personal health battles.
As Natasha Archer steps into this new phase, the royal-watching community continues to analyze every detail. Her story serves as a reminder of the human side of palace life — dedicated professionals who eventually seek new horizons. For now, the cream-toned Instagram posts and thoughtful captions have sparked conversation, blending admiration for her past contributions with curiosity about her future direction. In the intricate world of royal style and perception, even a new business launch can become a canvas for speculation.
