In an unexpected twist, Meghan Markle has attempted to carve out a niche for herself in the culinary world by sending jars of strawberry jam to 50 select influencers and friends.
This move seems to be part of her strategy to reshape her public persona into that of a domestic goddess, akin to Gwyneth Paltrow or Martha Stewart.
However, the launch of her product, which hails from her newly minted brand, American Riviera Orchard, has not gone entirely as planned.
The jam, intended to showcase Meghan’s culinary prowess, has raised eyebrows among fans and critics alike.
Many have speculated that the Duchess didn’t actually whip up the jam in her own kitchen.
Instead, it appears she may have repackaged another company’s product, merely slapping on custom labels and hoping to cash in on her royal status.
The skepticism surrounding her jam has only intensified with the revelation that one of the original jam makers has publicly distanced itself from her venture.
4BatchJamCo, a California-based jam producer, took to Instagram to clarify their lack of involvement with Meghan’s product.
When a curious follower inquired if they had supplied the jars, the company responded with a cheeky remark about their “strict no forks rule policy.” They also took a jab at the poorly applied labels, suggesting they might need to create a tutorial on proper labeling techniques.
Clearly, they weren’t shy about expressing their disdain for what they dubbed the “horrid label.”
This backlash from an established jam maker raises questions about Meghan’s authenticity in this new endeavor.
Critics argue that her jars closely mimic the aesthetic of artisanal jams, right down to the muslin fabric and labeling style.
It seems she may have overlooked the fact that her competitors would notice such similarities, especially since both brands are based in California.
As if adding insult to injury, the ripple effect of Meghan’s jam launch has inadvertently boosted sales of a similar product from King Charles‘s own farm shop.
Following her announcement, reports surfaced of a surge in demand for the King’s organic strawberry conserve, which has been a staple at Highgrove since the 1990s.
Richard Eden, a royal commentator, noted that loyal royalists were flocking to purchase the King’s preserve after seeing Meghan’s jam hit social media.
The Highgrove strawberry conserve, priced at £6.95, reportedly sold out within hours after images of Meghan’s jars circulated online.
This unexpected turn of events has left many wondering if King Charles is secretly enjoying the irony of the situation.
After all, his organic farm has been producing quality goods long before Meghan entered the scene.
Charlotte Griffiths, another royal commentator, couldn’t resist poking fun at Meghan’s choice of recipients for her jam.
She quipped about how unlikely it is that Meghan could muster up 50 friends to send her product to, drawing a parallel to the famously exclusive guest list of her royal wedding.
It seems the public is more than willing to scrutinize Meghan’s social circle.
While Meghan’s intentions may have been to establish herself as a lifestyle brand, the execution has left much to be desired.
The backlash and the subsequent rise in popularity of King Charles’s jam highlight the challenges she faces in breaking into an industry where authenticity is key.
As the dust settles on this latest chapter in Meghan’s journey, it’s clear that the road ahead will be filled with scrutiny.
Whether she can turn this experience into a successful venture remains to be seen.
