Hidden meaning behind name and crest of Meghan Markle's new venture
Meghan Markle has returned to social media with the launch of her new lifestyle brand 'American Riviera Orchard'.
The new project has been billed as "by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex" on Instagram, with the account also having "Established 2024" and a link to the website in the bio. Both the Instagram page and the website feature a gold-coloured crest with ornate calligraphy.
The symbol appears to contain the letters A and R - which could refer to American Riviera. The logo also contains the word Montecito in reference to the California area where Meghan, her husband Prince Harry and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, live.
READ MORE: Meghan Markle launches lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard with return to Instagram
The name of Meghan's new business also pays tribute to the area of California in which she and Harry live as Montecito is also called the American Riviera. The brand's logo features a design similar to Meghan's calligraphy side hustle, doing work for weddings before meeting Harry.
TOWIE's Chloe Brockett makes cheeky dig at Saffron Lempriere during filmingA representative for Meghan confirmed her participation in the new business venture but did not provide further details. The launch was accompanied by a grainy, retro-style promotional video in which the Duchess can be seen arranging flowers and baking in a kitchen.
A waiting list offers users the chance to sign up to become "the first to know about products, availability, and updates from American Riviera Orchard." Shortly after its launch, the Instagram page already has over 360,000 followers.
The site looks very similar to Meghan's much-loved lifestyle blog, The Tig. Meghan founded The Tig, named after her favourite red wine, in 2014 while starring in legal drama Suits - which is now one of the most-watched shows on Netflix.
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."
A source 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.
After news reached social media, one wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Mother is about to feed us. I am too excited for whatever this is, Meghan we're ready baby." "I'd recognize that calligraphy work from a mile away," penned another user.
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Someone else said: "Omg I signed up for Meghan's waitlist. It says there will be products! Yay!!" While another replied: "Omg I just checked the story and it looks like a video of Meghan cooking in her kitchen."
Another person penned: "Guys this is not a drill!!!! She's back! I'm excited to see what American Riviera Orchard is all about! Great things are coming." While another said: "Meghan is back on Instagram baby! This is bound to break Beyoncé’s internet baby! I'm so excited for this I sign up so fast!!! Our girl is back!!!! #AmericanRivieraOrchard."
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