Meghan Markle Just Posted a Striking New Pic to Instagram—And I Noticed Something Familiar

Meghan Markle is back on Instagram, and her latest post has royal watchers buzzing. In a new photo shared to her As Ever account, the Duchess of Sussex is seen gathering lemons—presumably from her Montecito garden—wearing a breezy, denim-blue sundress with a wide-brimmed hat. But here’s what caught my eye: those lemons aren’t just a nod to her fresh, California lifestyle. They’re a subtle callback to the very first glimpse we got of her brand almost a year ago.

"We’re on the cusp of the launch of As Ever, and to see Meghan posting a pic where she is picking lemons immediately makes us think of the teaser baskets of jam she shipped out to pals like Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer almost a year ago today," says Rachel Bowie, Senior Director of Special Projects & Royals for PureWow. "That was before she was back on Instagram and when her brand was still called American Riviera Orchard. So much has changed, but I like how she is drawing a line that connects us back."

To that end, there’s also the caption: "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." It’s a quote from none other than Audrey Hepburn, a woman known for her timeless style, grace, and—yes—her love of gardening. And this isn’t the first time Meghan has taken inspiration from Hepburn. From her royal wedding dress (designed by Givenchy, Hepburn’s go-to fashion house) to a famous engagement photo shoot where Prince Harry wrapped her in his coat—a nod to an iconic Hepburn image—there’s a clear throughline in Meghan’s aesthetic.

Either way, Markle’s new lifestyle brand, As Ever, is set to officially launch this spring—and if her latest post is any indication, we’re in for a season filled with elegant, nature-inspired goods. As for whether the lemons are a not-so-subtle tease of what’s to come? Well, if history repeats itself, we may just see them pop up in a future As Ever collection.