Meghan Markle is set to join the ranks of Gwyneth Paltrow and Martha Stewart thanks to the launch of her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. The brand's Instagram page has already amassed over 500,000 followers in less than a week and promises to focus on the culinary sphere within the influence sector. The Duchess of Sussex's upcoming "cookbooks, garden accessories, tableware, jams and jellies, stationary and pet food" has been labeled "fascinating" by PR expert Mark Boardman.
Ever since her signing with WME in April of 2023, speculation has been leaning toward the ex-actress turning her focus back to the lifestyle/influencing sphere. The Suits star ran the successful blog The Tig before she married Prince Harry in the spring of 2018, but closed it down upon becoming the Duchess of Sussex.
"Meghan Markle's surprise launch of American Riviera Orchard, a lifestyle brand for home, food, garden, and lifestyle goods, is a fascinating venture," Boardman told Newsweek. "The name might be a touch whimsical, but with hundreds of thousands of followers already, her ability to generate buzz is undeniable."
He continued: "Whether American Riviera Orchard becomes the next Goop remains to be seen, but it's a strategic decision. Leveraging her Hollywood influence could propel the brand to success, especially among fans who admire her style."
Despite this good news, the brand is likely to have a tough time taking off in the lucrative British market.
"I suspect it's also got something to do with the big plans that we're hearing about that Meghan is going to launch this big commercial project," royal expert Rebecca English told an outlet. "I presume this commercial project will have some sort of residence in this country."
A recent poll conducted by The Evening Standard in Britain found that Meghan scored just 7 percent in a ranking of the royals, which was right under Harry with 11 percent. Despite this, the former actress' new brand has already amassed over 500,000 Instagram followers in under a week and is said to eventually tie in with a Netflix cooking show. Although unpopular in the country, one palace insider dished that the culinary show's numbers could take off in Britain.
"The brand identity itself is interesting," Boardman added. "The website uses her recognizable calligraphy and the same developers behind Archewell/Sussex.com, hinting at a personal touch and potentially high-quality products. Notably, the brand utilizes a luxury-inspired logo and a California aesthetic, seemingly avoiding overt royal connections. This could be a way to build an independent brand outside the royal sphere."
The PR expert concluded: "This venture positions Meghan to capitalize on her Hollywood star power and potentially build a successful luxury brand. While the lack of follower comments might limit engagement, it's likely a calculated move to protect her mental health from online negativity."
