14 March 2024 , 20:48
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Meghan Markle's new business American Riviera Orchard could well be in breach of a strict rule with the Royal Family.
The Duchess of Sussex tonight launched her Tig 2.0 brand on Instagram, and has already gained more than 140,000 followers. With some calling it "disgusting" to launch on the night of Harry and William's appearance at the Diana Legacy Award ceremony in London, others think the new venture could well cause bigger problems for Meghan.
The Mirror associate editor Russell Myers pointed out that Meghan's business will likely be in breach of a commercial agreement with Harry's family. He posted on X, formally Twitter, "If you sign up for info on Meghan Markle's new business venture, you'll be notified about 'products'. Clear breach of the agreement by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to not profit off their royal titles, is it not? Watch this space."
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Meghan has launched new brand American Riviera Orchard (americanriviera.com)The Duchess of Sussex's new venture is thought to be a reimagining of her now-defunct lifestyle blog that she shut down in 2017 as she prepared to marry Prince Harry. Appearing in a romantic promotional video, Meghan arranges white roses, bakes in her kitchen and tends to her dog with the backdrop of her Montecito mansion.
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American Riviera Orchard - which already has over 30,000 followers on Instagram - shared the video on Stories while the profile's grid makes up the gold calligraphy logo of her new brand. The video shows Meghan in her home set to the tune, I Wish You Love by Nancy Wilson. The company's Instagram account bio reads simply: "by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex". The page's description also states the business was "established" in 2024, with a link to its website, americanriviera.com.
The website invites people to sign up for a waiting list, with few details explained when clicking through. After someone signs up, they receive a message that reads: "Yes, I would love you to be the first to know about products, availability, and updates from American Riviera Orchard." American Riviera Orchard's name appears to be a reference to Santa Barbara, the town in California where Meghan lives with her husband Prince Harry, and their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
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It's thought to 'overshadow' Harry's night at the Diana Legacy Award (Getty Images)An insider has already spoken out about what Meghan's new brand is, saying that the creation is "close to her heart". A source told Page Six, "She's been working on this for over a year and it's all the things that are close to her heart — all the things she's passionate about." Another told the Daily 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."
A trademark application obtained by Page Six reveals American Riviera Orchard is set to sell a wide range of home goods, including edible treats like jellies, jams and spreads and tableware staples such as cutlery, table linens and drinkware. Cookbooks are also covered in the filing. The brand's logo features a design similar to Meghan's calligraphy side hustle, doing work for weddings before meeting Harry.
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The announcement came just moments before Prince William made a speech at the Diana Awards in London, threatening to overshadow his appearance. Harry also appeared at the event, but on screen via video link and hours after his brother's appearance as their feud continues to bubble.
William paid tribute to the "courage, compassion and commitment" of his late mother Princess Diana, as he celebrated the winners of an award in her name. He addressed the 20 winners in a speech at the ceremony hours before Harry's discussion with the winners.
Harry told the group: "Every single day that you're working on these things you don't even know the impact that it's making. You don't know when you meet people and you have those interactions, you may potentially change their outlook, change their perspective, given them a little bit more and hopefully inspire them to do something. Again, I am seriously impressed with the work that you do, especially at the young age you are at and the future yours."
Prince Harry spoke to the group via video linkHe continued: "My mum would be incredibly proud of all the work I've done. I'm incredibly proud, and thank you for doing everything that you do."
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He also urged them to keep in contact with each other, telling them they are "thinking outside the box" and can benefit their peers.