Future of Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand in doubt as expert says 'nothing happening'
EXCLUSIVE: Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, was expected to be a big venture for her. But nothing definite has been said about it.
The future of Meghan Markle's much-anticipated lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard (ARO) is facing uncertainty, with a royal expert voicing concerns over its future.
In March, the Duchess of Sussex announced the soft launch of the brand. To promote it, she sent 50 jars of homemade ARO strawberry jam to friends, who shared the products on social media.
But very little has been heard about ARO since and the brand has yet to fully materialise. This has led to speculation from some experts about its viability.
Royal author Pauline MacLaran, who is Professor of Marketing and Consumer Research at Royal Holloway University, has been left baffled.
She told Express.co.uk: "There’s Megan’s lifestyle brand that we keep hearing about but yet, nothing definite really has happened there. There’s nothing really solid."
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American Riviera Orchard was expected to be a major player in the lifestyle sector, blending Meghan's passion for wellness and her experience in the entertainment industry.
The official launch date of ARO has not yet been announced, but Meghan's first official product under the brand is rumored to be bottles of rosé wine. The venture is expected to be complemented by a collection of drinkware.
Separately, Meghan has reportedly wrapped up filming her new cooking and home show for Netflix, with one PR expert anticipating one move could transform it into a "game-changer".
Carla Speight told Express.co.uk: "I’m not sure they will show Archie and Lilibet, purely because they have so far protected the children from the spotlight that Harry has been subjected to his whole life. That said, if they do appear, it would delight fans around the world."
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Meghan shares video on American Riviera Orchard's Instagram
She continued: "If they were to organically interrupt filming, such as Jamie Oliver’s kids do during his most recent shows, then it could offer many sweet moments and a real insight into their family life that so far no royal has ever offered before.
"It would be a really good moment that could be a game changer for how the public sees them as a family unit. If it were to happen, it could bring back that sense of protection for Diana, the People’s Princess' son Harry and her grandchildren.
"The public once had him close to their hearts, but because of the distance of the royals from the general public, it’s made it harder over the years for that sense of public responsibility for Harry and William to be upheld and the drama only amplified that.
"If Meghan and Harry let the public see them as the loving family they are, then the response could be incredibly positive."
