How much can Meghan Markle make from her new 'American Riviera Orchard' brand?
The Duchess of Sussex could be on to a winner with her new luxury lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. The anticipation of those who will buy the products when the online shop opens up is giving the world's press 'dollar sign-vibes'. Business publication Live Mint shares predictions that state Meghan may well be onto six figures within weeks of the website going live.
The Mirror, after crunching some figures, also believes the 42-year-old will be raking in the cash. PR expert Mayah Riaz confirms the potential income could be extensive - in fact, she could be looking at a whopping seven-figure sum within the first year of launching.
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"So far, the jams have been sent to only 50 people. This suggests that it will be an exclusive and limited edition item," Riaz told The Mirror.
Image: Instagram stories from @delfinablaquier, @mrstracyrobbins
"It has already been reported a single jam jar could cost three figures. I believe that is entirely likely from what we have seen so far. This is not rare for a celebrity brand."
"Therefore, my estimation is that American Riveria Orchard in under a year could make Meghan seven figures. It is entirely possible for the brand to make multi-seven figures by the end of next year," the PR guru concluded to The Mirror.
While the British royal family is at the centre of a media storm, marked by wild rumours of Kate Middleton's 'disappearance', life on the other side of the Atlantic seems much more peaceful. At least, that's the atmosphere portrayed by Meghan Markle's new brand.
The new brand is called American Riviera Orchard. 'American Riviera' is the nickname given to the central Californian side where the Sussex couple live, while 'orchard' can, of course, be associated with nature and flowering blossoms.
Keeping it really homely and personal to the Duchess, the logo for the brand also includes the word Montecito, which is the specific neighbourhood in which the Sussexes live.
Image: Amerianriviera.com
To launch her project, Meghan Markle created a new Instagram account linked to her brand's website. The Duchess of Sussex had not set foot on this social network for four years.
Photo : @americanrivieraorchard / Instagram
After their wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared their royal activities on an official Instagram account, @Sussexroyal. But in 2020, two months after announcing their decision to leave the royal family, they preferred to withdraw from the social network completely.
"As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute. While you may not see us here, the work continues. ... We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You’ve been great!," they wrote in March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, in their last post.
Four years later, Meghan Markle started taking on a whole new challenge with the creation of a 'lifestyle and cooking brand', as reported at the time by the Daily Mail.
According to a document relating to American Riviera Orchard, filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office on 2 February 2024, the Duchess of Sussex is preparing to market tableware, cookery books, textiles (tablecloths, napkins, etc.) and food (jelly, jam, aromatic herbs, etc.).
Then there was a second international registration application which adds to the product initially set out in the original brand. Meghan's American Riviera Orchard now includes string bags, stationery, textiles, yoga gear and a range of pet goods.
The American Riviera Orchard website, where you should be able to make your purchases, is still in its launch stage. But with its pastel colours and fine gold lettering, you can get the vibe.
There seems to be no doubt that the new Meghan Markle brand will be a huge success. In less than 24 hours, the Instagram account for her new brand was followed by more than 350,000 people.
A video was published on an Instagram story, giving us a first look into the brand. Meghan Markle can be seen arranging flowers in a vase, cooking, and dressing in an evening gown in her Californian home.
Photo : @americanrivieraorchard / Instagram
A few months ago, rumours circulated that the Duchess intended to relaunch 'The Tig', her former lifestyle blog. In the end, American Riviera Orchard appears to be a continuation of this, but also a step further...
Photo : Roam in color / Unsplash
Before marrying Prince Harry, Meghan Markle kept a blog on which she regularly published her cooking recipes, good places to go and eat as well as her travels, among many other things. After her engagement with Prince Harry in 2017, the Duchess had to close 'The Tig'.
"Harry thinks the new brand is a great idea because it's Meghan's idea he's still so loved up that she can do no wrong in his eyes," Tom Quinn, royal expert, commented to The Mirror.
"But we have to remember that he grew up in a family that would've looked down on this kind of commercial enterprise, so there is a part of Harry that's uncomfortable which is why we are unlikely to see Harry personally baking cakes or demonstrating kitchen utensils," Quinn continued as per The Mirror.
According to the Daily Mail, the launch of the American Riviera Orchard brand is set to coincide with the broadcast of a new cooking show on Netflix, in which we will be able to see Meghan Markle making and selling her own products, such as jams. There is no doubt people will watch... and people will buy...
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