Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard: A Brand in Trouble

Meghan Markle's latest entrepreneurial endeavor, the American Riviera Orchard, appears to have hit a major snag.

Initially launched with much excitement back in March, the lifestyle brand has since left many scratching their heads and feeling disappointed.

Instead of showcasing her vision, the debut felt more like a confusing spectacle, lacking clarity and substance.

The rollout of American Riviera Orchard was anything but conventional.

Meghan's promotional efforts featured vague posts on Instagram and odd videos of her parading around her kitchen in a ball gown.

But perhaps the most glaring oversight was the absence of any actual products.

Typically, a lifestyle brand is expected to offer tangible items for consumers, yet Meghan's launch seemed more like a gothic horror trailer than a legitimate business venture.

As the public took notice, the lack of merchandise left many puzzled.

It seemed that Meghan's celebrity status alone couldn't compensate for the glaring absence of shopping options.

While some might argue that any publicity is good publicity, the launch received far more ridicule than acclaim.

Meghan likely hoped that the attention, even if negative, would somehow benefit her brand.

The situation only worsened with the so-called “jam scam.”

Reports surfaced that Meghan had sent out 50 jars of homemade jam to select celebrities, but no one has actually laid eyes on these jars.

Did she truly make them, or was it just a clever ruse with store-bought preserves?

The ambiguity surrounding this move led to further mockery, casting a shadow over her brand's credibility.

In a puzzling attempt to salvage her image, Meghan doubled down on her jam strategy, introducing dog biscuits and more jam.

It raises the question: Is this really the best approach for a struggling venture?

Rumors about a potential cookery show also floated around, but like many of Meghan's aspirations, it never materialized.

Instead, she was spotted at farmers' markets and summits in the Hamptons, seemingly on a quest for investors willing to take a chance on her faltering brand.

Adding to her woes, Meghan's attempt to trademark American Riviera Orchard was rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The reasoning?

The term “American Riviera” is a common nickname for Santa Barbara, and simply appending “Orchard” wasn't enough to make it distinctive.

Now, Meghan has a three-month window to amend her application, or risk facing outright dismissal.

To make matters worse, she'll need to shell out an additional $700 to keep her struggling venture alive.

This isn't the first time Meghan has faced hurdles in her trademark pursuits.

Her previous attempt to trademark “archetypes,” the name of her podcast, also fell flat.

One might wonder if it's time for her to reconsider her approach to building a brand, as the repeated setbacks suggest that this may not be her forte.

Meanwhile, King Charles is demonstrating how it's done.

He recently launched a line of limited edition scarves in collaboration with eco-friendly designers Finn and Omi.

Inspired by the late Queen Elizabeth's fondness for vibrant colors, these scarves are flying off the shelves at Sandringham for £85 each.

Not only is Charles enjoying success, but he is also incorporating sustainability into his project, utilizing materials from milk cartons to invasive weeds.

Imagine the frustration Meghan must feel as she watches King Charles effortlessly sell out his collection while managing royal duties and health issues.