The ‘Meghan Effect’ Strikes Again! Duchess’ Handwriting Hobby Causes A Surge In Calligraphy Kit Sales

Since becoming the Duchess of Sussex, everyone’s obsession with Meghan Markle has been aptly dubbed the “Meghan effect” and even sometimes called the “Meghan Markle Sparkle.” Out of all the things the former Suits actress has been able to influence — especially fashion trends! — she is now inspiring Brits to turn to calligraphy. Yes, seriously!

Well before she began dating Prince Harry, Meghan, 37, was working lots of odd jobs in addition to acting to help make ends meet. From 2004 to 2005, the future royal taught calligraphy, gift-wrapping, and book-binding at the Paper Source store in Beverly Hills.

The Daily Mail has reported that industry insiders revealed that Meghan’s random talent has now boosted a surge in sales of calligraphy kits in 2018. According to a trends report from the British craft store, Hobbycraft, writing sets have increased in sales by 40 percent since 2017. Wow! Hobbycraft also noted that the sales peaked over the summer just after Meghan tied the knot with Harry on May 19.

“Putting pen to paper is becoming more popular and there’s no doubt that the Duchess of Sussex has helped to raise the profile of calligraphy writing,” Customer Director, Katherine Paterson, revealed. “Our calligraphy range continues to sell well and we only expect this to continue.”

This isn’t the first time that someone has commented on Meghan’s influence on perfecting the skill of calligraphy. “She taught calligraphy and hosted a group of customers and instructed them during a two-hour class on how to do calligraphy,” Winnie Park, CEO of Paper Source, once told People. “She would have advised customers on projects — from wedding invitations to creating personalized stationery to gift-wrapping. She has talked about being a big fan of custom stationery and thinks it’s the best gift to give a friend.”

Meghan’s love for calligraphy supposedly came from her initial love of writing handwritten letters. On her former lifestyle blog, The Tig, Meghan professed her love for the sentimental memorandums. “I think handwritten notes are a lost art form,” the Duchess wrote. “When I booked my first [TV] pilot, my dad wrote me a letter that I still have. The idea of someone taking the time to put pen to paper is really special.”

Now that Meghan is expecting her first child — set to arrive in spring 2019! — with Prince Harry, we wonder (and hope) if she’ll have any handwritten messages for her son or daughter in the future!

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