Meghan Markle has introduced a fresh website, American Riviera Orchard, along with establishing a new social media presence for the endeavor.
The initial nine posts on the account consist solely of a puzzle showcasing the brand’s logo, adorned with gold lettering, confirming its location in Montecito, where the Duchess of Sussex has forged a new path alongside her husband, Prince Harry, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
Meghan also shared a promotional video for the venture, showcasing her picking flowers, baking, and captivating viewers in a stunning black dress reminiscent of a scene from a Disney film.
After someone signs up for alerts, they get a message that reads: “Yes, I would love to be the first to know about products, availability, and updates from American Riviera Orchard.”
Reason Behind the Brand Name
Meghan’s latest venture draws inspiration from her life in California. Situated in Santa Barbara, her residence in Montecito aligns with the region’s nickname, the ‘American Riviera’.
What Will the Business Sell?
Although the brand and its associated social media account have not divulged extensive details about the business, a trademark filing has shed light on some of the products that will be offered. Among the items listed are digital and print cookbooks, tableware such as cutlery, dinnerware, and decanters, an assortment of napkins and tablecloths, as well as a range of food items including jams, jellies, spreads, and butters.
The website launch coincided with Archewell’s announcement of Dr. Joy Buolamwini as the recipient of its Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award. Dr. Buolamwini was recognized for her work with the Algorithmic Justice League, dedicated to combating racist and sexist biases in artificial intelligence systems.
This development follows shortly after the Duchess received positive news, as a Florida judge dismissed the defamation case brought against her by her half-sister, Samantha. Samantha had initiated the lawsuit following Meghan and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 and their Netflix series, “Harry and Meghan.”
The lawsuit centered on comments made by Meghan, including her assertion that she grew up as an only child and Samantha’s decision to revert to the surname Markle after the Duchess commenced her relationship with Harry. In a 58-page ruling, the judge concluded that Meghan’s statements were either not defamatory or were supported by “substantially true evidence,” leading to the dismissal of the case.
Since leaving the royal family in 2020, Harry and Meghan have had several deals, including a docu-series with Netflix, and they also have an upcoming movie with the streaming giant. Asked about the royal duo’s slate, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria confirmed: “They have a couple of unscripted things they’re working on with Brandon [Reigg].
“And they actually have like a bunch of development; they have a movie in development, a [scripted] series that they’re working on. So all very early development, with a movie, a TV show and a couple of unscripted shows,” she explained. “But yeah, the movie’s great.”
