Last month, Meghan Markle unveiled her latest endeavor, a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard.
However, it seems that in the excitement of launching this new venture, she overlooked an essential detail: securing the UK domain name.
While the official U.S. site is operational, a mysterious UK domain has been purchased, redirecting visitors to a food bank fundraiser instead.
This unexpected twist led to a Just Giving page that carries a rather poignant message directed at the Princess of Wales.
The fundraiser, which aims to combat hunger and poverty in the UK, features a note saying, “Not Meghan, Hope Meghan wouldn’t mind, Thoughts with Catherine.”
As of Thursday morning, the campaign had raised £56, with a goal of reaching £1,000.
Interestingly, it appears the individual behind this initiative has no formal ties to the charity itself.
American Riviera Orchard was softly launched last month, complete with an Instagram presence showcasing its new logo and a link to the main website, which currently only offers a waiting list for future products.
Although the hard launch date remains unannounced, the brand recently sent out its first product, Strawberry Jam, to 50 influencers for a taste test ahead of the official rollout.
The range of products slated for sale under the American Riviera Orchard label is quite diverse, including household items, cookware, pet supplies, gardening tools, beverages, and various food items.
This broad spectrum indicates a significant ambition for Markle’s lifestyle brand.
Interestingly, Lady Colin Campbell previously mentioned purchasing several UK domain names related to Meghan’s previous venture, Arrow.
Could she be the one who secured the domain now leading to the food bank page?
Social media has recently seen a flurry of activity from Meghan’s friends, who have been publicly thanking her for the Strawberry Jam samples.
However, not everyone is impressed with this initial offering.
Daily’s Kinsey Schofield expressed disappointment, stating that the concept of a DIY jam launch with peeling labels falls flat.
She also pointed out that Harry and Meghan have struggled to find success since stepping back from royal duties.
Schofield’s critique raises an important question: Is Meghan relying too heavily on her social circle to promote her new products?
After years of speculation regarding her potential political ambitions, it seems her current campaign is focused on selling homemade preserves—a sharp contrast to the lofty expectations many had for her post-royal career.
The royal expert suggests that this shift in focus may reflect a deeper issue of ego.
According to her, if the Sussexes had exercised more patience and respect towards their royal roles, they could have emerged as heroes in the public eye.
Instead, they appear to prioritize personal branding over institutional integrity.
PR strategist Mark Bukowski also weighed in on the situation, describing Meghan’s marketing approach as either overly ambitious or simply strange.
He questioned the lack of information on the jam packaging, noting that it lacks a compelling story or even basic details about the product itself.
This absence of substance raises eyebrows about the authenticity of Markle’s involvement in the production process.
Bukowski further compared Meghan’s efforts to those of her father-in-law, Prince Charles, who has successfully built his own brand over decades.
He suggested that Markle’s attempt feels less genuine, leading to skepticism about whether she is genuinely hands-on in creating the products she promotes.
