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American Riviera Orchard

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American Riviera Orchard is an American lifestyle brand created in 2024 by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex that focuses on preserves and homeware.

History

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Creation

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In September 2023, tabloid news site TMZ wrote Meghan was planning on founding a lifestyle brand.[1] Meghan filed for the patent for American Riviera Orchard in March 2024, followed by a soft launch of the company on social media channels the same month. As of mid-July 2024, the patent application is still pending.[2] The social media profiles included a link that sent social media users to the company's website, where they could sign up for the announcements waitlist.[1] The New Zealand Herald said the creation of the brand likely coincides with Meghan's upcoming Netflix specials.[3] In an op-ed for The Guardian, columnist Arwa Mahdawi said the brand is likely Meghan's attempt to try to come back from what Rolling Stone called a "flop era" for the couple in mid-2023, a period of stagnation in their careers.[4]

Meghan during a visit to Northern Ireland in 2018

The name American Riviera Orchard derives from a nickname for Santa Monica, California, where Meghan and her husband Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex reside.[5]

UK domain name

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In April 2024, an anonymous cybersquatter purchased the UK domain name for the brand and directed the URL to a JustGiving fundraiser for The Trussell Trust, a non-profit focusing on alleviating food insecurity. A message on the fundraiser voiced support for Catherine, Princess of Wales. The campaign had a goal of reaching £1,000 and far outpaced that by quickly raising over £8,300 by April 19.[6][7] By April 29, the amount had grown to £21,000.[8] The Trust told The Independent that they "...are grateful to people who put their time and energy into supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK. The charity is not connected with this website domain and have no knowledge of who set it up."[9] Due to regulatory guidance in the UK, The Trussell Trust could not decline the donations.[10]

Products

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Strawberry jam

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After the company's soft launch in March 2024, Meghan sent bottles of strawberry jam (limited to 50 bottles overall) to some of her influencer friends who then posted the jam on their social media channels, including Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras; American actresses Tracee Ellis Ross, Abigail Spencer, Garcelle Beauvais, and Mindy Kaling; American media personality Kris Jenner; and American married couple signer John Legend and model Chrissy Teigen.[11][12][13] After the release of the limited edition jam, sales of Meghan's father-in-law Charles III's unrelated strawberry jam increased substantially, which is sold through The Highgrove Shop and through Waitrose Duchy Organic at Waitrose supermarkets.[14]

Other products

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Along with strawberry jam, Meghan released announcements the brand would be working on raspberry jam, dog treats, and homeware items, including tableware and drinkware.[15][3] By July 2024, no further announcements or products under the brand had been released.[16] In late June 2024 Marie Claire speculated the next product will likely be a rosé wine.[17]

Reception

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Royal author Tom Quinn said the launch of the brand was greeted with intense scrutiny and "mockery" online, while Sky News Australia said the launch was "ridiculed".[18][19]

Sources

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  1. ^ a b Bailey, Alyssa (March 14, 2024). "Meghan Markle Quietly Launches Her New Brand, American Riviera Orchard". Elle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  2. ^ Goldsztajn, Iris (July 11, 2024). "Meghan Markle Is Reportedly "Very Pleased" With American Riviera Orchard's "Strong Start"". MSN. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Meghan Markle wraps filming on unnamed Netflix project weeks after American Riviera Orchard release". New Zealand Herald. July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Mahdawi, Arwa (July 9, 2024). "Harry is the divisive duke – and Meghan is making jam. Can the Sussexes escape their 'flop era'?". The Guardian. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Bailey, Alyssa (June 16, 2024). "Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard Line: All We Know So Far". Elle. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  6. ^ Jankowicz, Mia (April 19, 2024). "Someone bought a UK domain name for Meghan Markle's new brand and redirected it to an anti-poverty charity". Yahoo!. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  7. ^ Murphy, Matthew (April 18, 2024). "U.K. Domain for Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard Brand Hijacked by Kate Fan". The Daily Beast. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "The case of the American Riviera Orchard Domain Hijacking Incident Involving Meghan Markle". Start. April 29, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  9. ^ Guinness, Emma (April 19, 2024). "Mystery as Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand website leads to UK foodbank". The Independent. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  10. ^ Harle, Emily. "Trussell Trust baffled over donations from mysterious website under name of Meghan Markle's new brand". The Third Sector. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  11. ^ Burack, Emily (June 17, 2024). "Meghan Markle Reveals New American Riviera Orchard Products". Town & Country. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  12. ^ Spence, Niamh; Bagdi, Annabal (April 17, 2024). "Meghan Markle fans 'defend cheap mistake from luxury lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard'". Birmingham Live. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Burack, Emily (April 30, 2024). "A Complete List of Everyone Who Received Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard Jam". Town & Country. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Sullivan, Reilly (July 9, 2024). "'Beneath him': King Charles refuses to 'sink' to Meghan Markle's level with petty American Riviera Orchard jam dispute". Sky News. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  15. ^ Gray, Delilah (July 7, 2024). "Meghan Markle's Brand's Biggest Competitor May Out-'Savvy' Her for One Reason, PR Expert Claims". She Knows. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Sykes, Tom (July 3, 2024). "Meghan Markle Has Wrapped Filming on Her New Show. She Needs a Hit". Daily Beast. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  17. ^ Burchfield, Rachel (June 26, 2024). "Meghan Markle's Lifestyle Brand, American Riviera Orchard, Has Reportedly Decided on What Product Offering the Public Can Buy First—and It Feels Authentic to Meghan Herself". Marie Claire. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  18. ^ Petak, Tessa (July 15, 2024). "Meghan Markle Is Already Anticipating the Backlash for American Riviera Orchard". In Style. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  19. ^ Rayner, Isabella (July 19, 2024). "'Furious': Prince Harry 'holding' Meghan Markle back from confronting King Charles over latest Highgrove launch". Sky News. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
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