Meghan Markle Heartwarming Moment: Tea, Dogs, and Family in Montecito
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, delighted fans with a cozy glimpse into her life on July 14, 2025, sharing a charming Instagram post via her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
The photo, capturing a serene summer afternoon, showed Meghan sipping peppermint tea while petting her beloved rescue beagle, Mia, at their Montecito, California home. Captioned “Summer afternoons, mint tea, and the sweetest company (Hi, Mia!),” the post highlighted the personal touches that define Meghan’s brand and her close bond with her family—both human and furry.
This article explores the significance of the moment, Meghan’s growing As Ever empire, and the role her dogs and children play in her public narrative.
A Cozy Snapshot with Mia
In the Instagram post, Meghan, dressed in a stylish cream-and-white ensemble, is seen from behind, holding a cup of As Ever’s Herbal Peppermint Tea while stroking Mia, her rescue beagle.
The image exudes warmth and simplicity, reflecting the relaxed yet aspirational vibe of her lifestyle brand. Described on the As Ever website as “a refreshing tea of organic peppermint leaves, to be enjoyed day or night,” the tea is part of the brand’s sold-out product drops, which have included home goods and, recently, As Ever wine.
The initial launch on April 2, 2025, sold out in under an hour, with restocks and new releases also disappearing quickly, underscoring Meghan’s commercial influence.
Mia, affectionately called “Mamma Mia,” is no stranger to the As Ever spotlight. In March 2025, the beagle crashed a backyard photoshoot for the brand’s debut, stealing the show in a behind-the-scenes snap. Adopted by Meghan and Prince Harry in 2022 from the Beagle Freedom Project in Virginia, Mia was rescued from a breeding and research lab.
Meghan personally reached out to the organization, expressing a desire to adopt an older dog rather than a “Christmas puppy,” as volunteer Shannon Keith told the Los Angeles Times.
Mia joined the couple’s black lab , Pula, and Meghan’s previous rescue beagle, Guy, who sadly passed away in January 2025, making her a cherished part of their Montecito household.
Family Ties in the As Ever Narrative
Meghan’s As Ever Instagram page isn’t just about products—it’s a window into her family life. In a March 24, 2025, post, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, made a rare appearance, with Archie hugging his mother’s leg and Meghan holding Lilibet.
These glimpses of her children and pets humanize the brand, aligning with Meghan’s focus on authenticity and connection. Fans on X praised the family-oriented posts, with MeghansMole
tweeting, “Meghan sharing Mia and her kids on As Ever is so wholesome,” while SussexRoyalFan noted, “Love how Meghan’s brand feels like a peek into her cozy Montecito life.”
The decision to keep her home private for her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, filmed at a nearby rental property, reflects her protective instincts.“I wanted to protect that safe haven,” she told PEOPLE in March 2025, emphasizing the sanctity of her family’s space.
With a crew of over 80 people, filming at home would have disrupted the quiet moments she cherishes—like naptime with Lilibet, family lunches, or bedtime routines.
The series, set to premiere later in 2025, will showcase Meghan’s lifestyle expertise, but the Montecito home remains a sacred space for her, Harry, and their children.
Building the As Ever Brand
As Ever is more than a business—it’s an extension of Meghan’s vision for a curated, meaningful lifestyle. Launched in March 2025, the brand has quickly gained traction, with its initial product drop selling out in record time.
The addition of As Ever wine and new home goods in subsequent restocks has kept demand high, with the peppermint tea featured in the Mia photo becoming a fan favorite.
Meghan’s hands-on approach, from product selection to social media, reflects her entrepreneurial spirit, honed through years of running her pre-royal blog, The Tig. Posts on X, like one from RoyalFamilyUK saying, “Meghan’s As Ever is killing it—sold out again!” highlight the brand’s success and her ability to connect with consumers.
The inclusion of Mia in As Ever’s imagery is strategic, tapping into the universal appeal of pets while reinforcing Meghan’s commitment to animal welfare. Her adoption of Mia through the Beagle Freedom Project aligns with her advocacy for rescue animals, a cause she’s championed since adopting Guy in 2017.
By showcasing her dogs and children, Meghan crafts a relatable narrative, balancing her royal persona with everyday moments that resonate with fans.
A Protective Mother and Public Figure
Meghan’s decision to shield her home from With Love, Meghan underscores her role as a protective mother and partner. She and Harry have prioritized privacy for Archie and Lilibet, rarely sharing their images publicly.
The As Ever posts, carefully curated to show fleeting glimpses of family life, strike a balance between openness and discretion. Meghan’s comment to PEOPLE about valuing “sacred time” with her family—putting Lilibet down for naps or cooking in their kitchen—paints a picture of a grounded life despite their global fame.
The public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans appreciating Meghan’s authenticity. X posts like ArchieLiliFan’s “Meghan’s tea moment with Mia is so relatable—love her vibe” reflect the warmth her posts inspire. However, some critics, such as RoyalWatcher22, questioned the commercial tie-in, tweeting, “Cute pic, but it’s clearly a plug for her tea brand.”
These varied reactions highlight the challenge Meghan faces in navigating her public image as both a businesswoman and a private individual.
Looking Ahead: Meghan’s Growing Influence
Meghan’s cozy Instagram moment with Mia is a small but significant part of her evolving public narrative. As Ever’s success, coupled with the anticipation for With Love, Meghan, positions her as a formidable force in the lifestyle space.
Her Welsh connections, noted in a BBC News report about her and Harry’s interest in Welsh culture for their children, add another layer to her global appeal, though no direct Welsh link was mentioned in the Mia post.
The Netflix series, focusing on cooking, gardening, and entertaining, will further showcase her talents, while her family-oriented posts keep fans engaged.
As Meghan continues to build As Ever and share glimpses of her life, her bond with Mia and her children remains a cornerstone of her story. The July 14 post, with its simple joy of tea and a dog’s company, encapsulates her ability to blend relatability with aspiration—a formula that’s driving her brand’s meteoric rise.
