QUESTION MARK(LE)
5 unanswered questions about Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard brand as expert claims it’s ‘sink or swim’ for her
Watch our video to see Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard trailer
IT’S been five months since Meghan Markle revealed she is launching her own lifestyle brand, and excited fans are still waiting for the site to go live.
There are still a number of unanswered questions about American Riviera Orchard, including what could be causing the delay.
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Phil Dampier, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words said: “Meghan first put her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard out there in March so it seems strange that it hasn’t had the big official launch five months later.”
So far the Duchess of Sussex has teased a couple of products, including sending 50 jams to high profile friends - Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dorak, Tracy Robbins and Kris Jenner - and she also shared a teaser video.
Here we look at first unanswered questions surrounding Meghan’s brand “struggles”...
1. WHAT IS DELAYING THE LAUNCH?
There hasn’t been an update on when American Riviera Orchard will start selling products, and one theory about the delay is that Meghan is still “courting investment”.
Phil shared: “There have been rumours that some of the products have had trademark problems and that needs to be sorted out, as well as financial backing.”
Meanwhile brand strategist Lucie Greene added: “I imagine the pop-ups and the seeding, and a series of dinners will continue until some kind of official launch.
“It could be that she's still courting investment.
“If the brand is direct to consumer, versus wholesale, there will need to be a substantial marketing budget for consumer acquisition.
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“It's unclear what leadership she has in place at this point, too.
“It could be that the jams were the precursor and example to show proof of concept to talent and investors.”
'Smart' decision Meghan Markle must make to 'burnish her image' amid struggles with American Riviera Orchard, claims royal expert
2. WHO ELSE WAS SENT A POT OF JAM?
A number of A-listers posted photos of their branded jars of jam, which all appeared to be labelled from a batch of 50.
However, there are numerous jam recipients who haven’t uploaded snaps or clips of their deliveries.
So who else received the jam, and will we see any more jars posted on social media?
Phil shared: “Meghan has sent samples of her ‘homemade jam’ to fifty friends but only a couple have promoted or talked about it publicly.
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“She must have been hoping for far more support than that.
“It’s all in danger of going off a bit half-cock but only time will tell.”
3. WHAT WILL THE HERO PRODUCT BE?
While Meghan has teased the jam and also dog biscuits - which were sent to Harry’s polo pal Nacho Figueras - but we still haven’t had confirmation on what products will be available on the site.
But there have been other rumours, too.
The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly planning to launch a bottle of rosé and it’ll be the first item available for the public to buy, according to the Daily Mail.
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Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
Phil added: “Meghan named her previous blog The Tig after her favourite Italian red wine and it’s thought a rose wine could be one of the big sellers for the ARO.
“The Tig was actually very successful before Meghan met Harry and of course she gave it up and her social media presence when she became a royal on the advice of courtiers.”
4. WHAT ROLE WILL HARRY PLAY?
Meghan and Harry have undertaken a number of projects since stepping back as senior working royals in 2020.
These have included Harry’s bombshell Spare memoir, their Netflix Harry & Meghan documentary and Meghan’s Archetypes podcast.
The Sussex projects haven’t all been plain-sailing, with Meghan’s Spotify deal coming to an end and the backlash after Harry criticised his family in Spare.
Phil claimed American Riviera Orchard will be “sink or swim” for Meghan.
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The expert shared: “Meghan has been planning this for months if not years and she will sink or swim with it as I think the days of the couple making a quick buck out of criticising the royals are over.
“If it takes off and Meghan becomes a very high profile businesswoman it will leave Harry in the shade a bit and he might look like a spare part, which is ironic bearing in mind his resentment at being the spare to William as the heir.”
5. WILL THE SUSSEX KIDS BE INVOLVED?
Archie and Lilibet are rarely seen beyond the family’s £12million Montecito mansion.
But could they be involved in the American Riviera Orchard going forwards?
Phil claimed: “It wouldn’t surprise me if Meghan has her children Archie and Lilibet appear in any cooking or lifestyle shows she does, almost like an upmarket Osbournes.
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“She will want to portray the image of a happy family at home using her products and cooking skills.
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“But some have pointed out the irony of Meghan portraying herself as a homemaker and dutiful wife and mother when she previously wanted to be known as a feminist.
“Ultimately she will do what she thinks is best for her and Harry and her children, and if that means a new image she will just go with it.”
What has Meghan Markle teased from American Riviera Orchard so far?
MEGHAN Markle launched her brand's new Instagram page in March 2024, but no products are available to buy as of yet.
Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
Meghan kicked off promoting American Riviera Orchard by sending 50 branded jams to friends and influencers.
Those who received a package included Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dorak, Tracy Robbins and Kris Jenner.
She later unveiled two new products from her American Riviera Orchard brand just hours before Trooping the Colour.
Polo player and close friend of Prince Harry, Nacho Figueras was treated to a jar of raspberry jam from the collection as well as a jar of luxury dog biscuits for his pooch.