In a surprising twist, Meghan Markle‘s ambitious lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, appears to be facing an abrupt and unfortunate demise.
Launched with much fanfare back in March, the brand was supposed to showcase Markle’s vision of a chic lifestyle.
Instead, it left many scratching their heads in confusion, thanks to a series of vague social media posts and peculiar videos featuring Markle dressed in a ball gown while meandering through her kitchen.
If anything, the rollout resembled a gothic horror film trailer rather than a vibrant brand launch.
The glaring absence of any actual products or shopping options only added to the bewilderment surrounding the venture.
One might expect a lifestyle brand to offer something tangible for consumers to buy, but Markle seemed to rely solely on her celebrity status to carry the weight of the brand.
Unfortunately, the response was more mocking than complimentary, yet Markle likely reveled in the attention, convinced that even negative publicity could work in her favor.
Things took a turn for the bizarre with what has been dubbed the “jam scam.”
Reports emerged that Markle sent out 50 jars of homemade jam to a select group of celebrities, but here’s the kicker: no one has actually laid eyes on these jars.
Did she whip them up herself, or were they simply store-bought preserves with a homemade label?
The ambiguity surrounding this move only led to further ridicule, showcasing yet another misstep in her entrepreneurial journey.
As if doubling down on the jam fiasco wasn’t enough, Markle soon introduced dog biscuits and even more jam into the mix.
It seems that when a brand is struggling, the solution is to flood the market with more of the same product.
Rumors of a potential cookery show began to surface, but like so many of Markle’s ventures, it never came to fruition.
Instead, she was spotted at farmers markets and summits in the Hamptons, seemingly searching for anyone willing to invest in her faltering brand.
However, who in their right mind would back a venture that seems to be spiraling downward?
To add insult to injury, Markle’s attempt to trademark the name American Riviera Orchard was outright rejected by the US Patent and Trademark Office.
The reasoning?
The term “American Riviera” is a well-known nickname for Santa Barbara, where Markle resides, and merely adding “orchard” didn’t make it unique enough.
Now, Markle faces a three-month deadline to rectify the trademark application or risk seeing it vanish into legal oblivion.
To keep this sinking ship afloat, she will also need to fork over an additional $700.
This isn’t the first time Markle has encountered trademark troubles; her earlier attempt to secure the name “Archetypes” for her podcast was similarly rejected.
One might wonder if she’ll ever realize that brand building may not be her strongest suit.
While Markle wrestles with these challenges, King Charles III is demonstrating how it’s done.
Recently, he launched a line of limited-edition silk scarves in partnership with eco-friendly designers Vin and Omi.
Inspired by the late Queen Elizabeth‘s fondness for vibrant colors, these scarves are flying off the shelves at Sandringham for a price tag of £85 each.
Not only is Charles achieving commercial success, but he’s also promoting sustainability by utilizing materials sourced from milk cartons and invasive weeds.
Imagine Markle’s frustration as she watches King Charles, who is managing a kingdom and dealing with personal health issues, effortlessly sell out his latest collection.
Meanwhile, she remains in California, grappling with the basics of trademarking a brand she introduced six months ago.
The crux of Markle’s predicament seems to lie in her desire for instant success.
She appears to want to leap from obscurity to empire in no time flat, neglecting the years of dedication and hard work that most successful brands require.
