Meghan Markle has done a thing. The activity in question? Hard-launching her return to Instagram and introducing a new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
While Buckingham Palace is at a loss with both King Charles III and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, revealing cancer diagnoses, the Duchess of Sussex has surreptitiously chosen the perfect moment to pique public interest. Within hours of debuting the brand, Markle’s new venture garnered over 200,000 followers.
However, there isn’t much information about what the venture may bring yet. The sparse account only boasts the caption “by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, Established 2024” and the logo, a nouveau rendition of a royal crest and the brand name designed with classical calligraphy typography posted over nine photos. An Instagram Story posted to the tune of Nancy Wilson’s ‘I Wish You Love’ reveals more about the creative direction the brand will be taking.
In a video shot like a Super 8 film, the Suits alumni can be seen adjusting flowers in a vase, mixing ingredients in her stoned Spanish-style kitchen, and walking down an entryway in a bustle-esque gown. Markle has clearly been cooking this up for a while.
Ahead, everything to know about American Riviera Orchard.
What Is American Riviera Orchard, Meghan Markle’s New Brand?
According to reports, American Riviera Orchard is set to be an extension of Markle’s now-defunct blog, The Tig. (For those unfamiliar, this was Markle’s editorial platform named after her favourite wine, Tignanello.)
As per an insider with intel, American Riviera Orchard “will focus on home, garden, food and general lifestyle wares,” hinting that the former senior royal will launch a range of physical products designed for the household. If a trademark filing obtained by Page Six is to be believed, the collection will involve “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 publication reported. Since the initial list, Markle has since extended her filing to cover more categories, including “makeup, skincare, haircare and fragrance.”
In addition to these, we might also see scented sachets, soaps and body lotion, yoga mats, cushions, stationery, cards, calendars, gift wrap, party decorations, and even pet food, bowls, collars and dog beds to please her fellow animal lovers.
American Riviera Orchard also firmly cements Markle’s locality in Montecito. The name ‘American Riviera’ is in reference to the colloquial nickname given to Santa Barbara for its European-inspired vantage.
Markle is seemingly leaning in a direction inspired by Nancy Meyer’s body of work, with the coastal grandmother aesthetic reaching its final form in her range of chic, Duchess-approved homewares. Because who wouldn’t want a kitchen like Halle Parker’s from The Parent Trap?
By the time this article went to publish, the following count had already jumped to 576,000, so before any naysayers dub this as a business failure, it’s clear Markle is attuned to what her tapped-in audience wants from her. A new venture, a new podcast, a new state of mind. Markle 2.0 is here.
When will American Riviera Orchard launch?
There is no confirmed date as of this moment, but the website prompts fans to join a waitlist for news. Given the announcement’s timing, we could’ve expected to see some movement within the next few months. However, given the recent news regarding her husband Prince Harry‘s family and the existing tensions between the Sussex royals and the working royals, there may be some delay.
