Meghan Markle’s Jam Venture: A Sweet Surprise or Just a PR Stunt?

In a recent move that has stirred up quite a buzz, Meghan Markle has started distributing jars of strawberry jam to her friends as a way to promote her upcoming business venture, American Riviera Orchard.

This limited-edition treat was sent out ahead of the brand's formal launch scheduled for later this spring.

The jars, which have already caught the eye of social media, are being marketed as a personal gift from Markle herself.

Fashion designer Tracy Robbins and Argentine socialite Delfina Black took to Instagram to share their excitement over receiving these jars.

According to PR expert Nikkied, the packaging gives off a homemade vibe, complete with a stylish crest and what appears to be an almost handwritten brand name.

However, the authenticity of this “homemade” touch is being questioned by many.

This venture comes at a time when numerous celebrities are diving into the food industry.

Notable figures like Julianne Moore, Will Ferrell, and LeBron James have launched their own honey brands, selling jars for as much as $250.

It seems Markle is following suit, perhaps inspired by her father-in-law, King Charles III, who began selling his own jams from the Duchy of Cornwall estate back in the 1990s.

Markle reportedly distributed 50 jars of her strawberry jam, but only two influencers have publicly acknowledged the gift so far.

Critics have pointed out that numbering the jars was a misstep, revealing the limited support she has garnered.

With only a few posts on Instagram thanking her for the jam, it raises questions about the overall impact of her promotional strategy.

The recipients of these jars—Robbins and Black—are not exactly household names in the influencer world.

With 560,000 and 7,000 followers respectively, they are more affluent socialites than influential trendsetters.

Their posts, featuring staged photos with strawberries, seem more like a PR package than genuine endorsements.

Some observers have suggested that Markle's attempt to portray herself as a small-batch jam maker is misleading.

The cottage food laws in Santa Barbara County contradict the image she is trying to project.

Instead, it appears that Markle is simply rebranding wholesale jams with her own labels, a common practice in the industry.

A blind item circulating online hinted that recipients of Markle's jam must agree to promote it on social media and not sell or give it away.

This could explain the numbering of the jars, creating an illusion of exclusivity while masking the reality of mass production.

Critics have also noted issues with the quality of the product.

Social media users have pointed out that some labels on the jars are peeling off, leading to mockery about the quality of Markle's first offering.

Comments on X have ranged from amusement at the pretentiousness of the pricing to outright derision about the perceived cheapness of the product.

One user quipped about the $17.50 label, questioning whether it truly represents a limited edition item or just a clever marketing ploy.

Another chimed in, stating that 50 jars hardly equate to a thriving business empire, suggesting that Markle is merely slapping her name on products created by others.

As the countdown to the official launch continues, it remains to be seen whether Markle's foray into the food industry will resonate with consumers or if it will fizzle out under scrutiny.

The reception of her strawberry jam may very well set the tone for what's to come from American Riviera Orchard.