THE Duchess of Sussex has given fans a first-look at her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard by sending jam-filled baskets to her pals.
A brand strategist has shared why the new venture could be the perfect next step for Meghan Markle, following the Sussexes bashing the royal family in recent months.
Speaking to , Lucie Greene shared: “Certainly, they can’t monetise their drama any more.
“I think that has reached the end of the road.”
Royal attacks
This follows Prince Harry releasing his bombshell Spare memoir, where he claimed William 'attacked' him in a row over Meghan Markle and said Charles pleaded with Harry and William not to 'make his final years a misery'.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also spilled details about the royal family in their Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary.
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To the shock of many it told stories of Meghan's "jarring" first meeting with Princess Kate and Harry making digs at his father.
One insider told The Sun that the couple have reached the end of the road with bashing the royals, and said: “That period of their life is over — as there is nothing left to say.”
Meg's new venture
Meghan announced she is launching American Riviera Orchard last month, and teased it on Instagram.
A promotional video was released showing Meghan baking, plucking flowers and in a spectacular black dress.
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And now several close pals have shared photos of their pre-launch baskets of branded jam surrounded by lemons, including fashion designer Tracy Robbins.
It is said the A-list area of California where Meghan and Harry live, Montecito, is known as the “American Riviera”, and is thought to be the inspiration behind the name.
According to a report from , Meghan's company will focus on home, garden, food, and general lifestyle content.
The brand will reportedly sell home goods, such as cookbooks, food and kitchenware.
Certainly, they can’t monetise their drama any more
Lucie Greene
A trademark application for 'American Riviera Orchard' showed Meghan could sell cutlery, decanters, legume-based spreads and even napkin rings.
This follows Meghan, 42, closing her former lifestyle page, The Tig, in April 2017, shortly after she started dating Prince Harry.
The explosive revelations in Harry's book Spare include:
- Prince Harry claimed his brother William 'attacked' him in a row over Meghan Markle
- Harry called his therapist instead of Meg after the confrontation with his brother
- Charles pleaded with Harry and William not to 'make his final years a misery'
- The Duke of Sussex revealed the nicknames he uses with William
- Harry claimed William and Kate Middleton encouraged him to wear the infamous Nazi uniform
- The duke said he does want to go to King Charles' coronation, a trailer for his ITV interview has revealed
- The bombshell book accidentally went on sale early in Spain – and we got our hands on one of the first copies
- Meanwhile, seven times Harry was welcomed by the Royals have been revealed
The lifestyle page shared her travel, food, and fashion recommendations while she worked in the hit legal TV show Suits.
Lucie added: “She’s always modelled herself as a lifestyle curator.
“Some people seem to already want to hate this brand, but actually, I think it’s a very smart move for her.”
In addition to her American Riviera Orchard, we shared how the Duchess of Sussex is set to launch a new series on "cooking, gardening and friendship".
Some people seem to already want to hate this brand, but actually, I think it’s a very smart move for her.
Lucie Greene
She and Harry have two untitled non-fiction projects in production.
The shows form part of the "creative partnership" Archewell Productions signed with the streaming giant in 2020.
What is Meghan Markle’s new business?
Meghan Markle has launched a new Instagram brand called American Riviera Orchard.
Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
A source told the Mail: "It’s a lifestyle and cooking brand called American Riviera Orchard.
"The brand is meant to coincide with the launch of a new cookery show for Netflix.
"Meghan will be making, and selling, products such as jams. And at some point there will be a book and blog etc."
The first series will focus on Meghan and explore "the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship", according to .
The second series will follow the couple's love of professional polo.
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Primarily shot at the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, the project will be produced by Boardwalk Pictures.