Meghan Markle’s ‘stupid’ mistake that could cripple success of new business American Riviera Orchard, claims brand pro

ROYAL fans have been given a first peek at Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle brand after she sent out hampers of jam to her close pals.

Her American Riviera Orchard site is said to be launching later this spring – but there is one “stupid” mistake the Duchess of Sussex should avoid if she wants to rake in the cash.

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The Duchess of Sussex will soon be launching her American Riviera Orchard brand[/caption]

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Meghan sent out hampers showing branded jam as part of her pre-launch[/caption]

instagram/@AmericanRivieraOrchard

The logo for her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard[/caption]

According to a brand strategist, the success of the website – which is trademarked to sell jams, linens and creams – simply depends on the pricing.

Lucie Greene told Grazia that Meghan has included a lot of “class references” in her branding.

Not only did she include her Duchess of Sussex title on the brand’s Instagram page, but even the name sounds upper class.

She explained: “‘American Riviera’ sounds like old money – and then ‘Orchard’ gives it this folksy, Hamptonsy, Ina Garten feeling.

“What’s going to be interesting is the price point Meghan chooses, because I think she’d be stupid to make it too expensive.

“There’s a real opportunity for her to make it more accessible than Flamingo Estate [a luxury LA-based lifestyle company selling soaps and gifts], and market high-class America to an aspiring middle-class American crowd.”

Jam deliveries

This week, the Duchess of Sussex delivered several beautifully-packed gift baskets to friends and influencers before the launch.

Several close pals have shared photos of their pre-launch promotional baskets, including fashion designer Tracy Robbins.

Tracy and her Paramount boss husband Brian Robbins are friends of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and invited them to the Bob Marley film premiere in Jamaica.

She shared a photo of her package and added the caption: “Thank you for the delicious basket! 

“I absolutely love this jam so not sure I’m sharing with anyone. Thank you, M!”

Tracy added: “American Riviera Orchard breakfast, lunch and dinner just got a little sweeter.”

It seems 50 lucky people have received the hampers, as Tracy’s jam jar had “17 out of 50” on it.

Another person to have been sent the package is Delfina Blaquier, the wife of polo player Nacho Figueras, who was seen with Meghan at the polo last week.

What’s going to be interesting is the price point Meghan chooses, because I think she’d be stupid to make it too expensive

Lucie Greenebrand strategist

Delfina shared a photo of her gift (number 10 out of 50) alongside some jam-covered toast.

She wrote: “Strawberry jam makes me happy. And I [love] your jam.”

Meghan announced she is launching American Riviera Orchard last month, and teased it on Instagram.

It is said the A-list area of California where Meghan and Harry live, Montecito, is known as the “American Riviera”, which is thought to be the inspiration behind the name.

Meghan’s products

According to a report from Page Six, Meghan’s company will focus on home, garden, food, and general lifestyle content.

The brand will reportedly sell home goods, such as cookbooks, food and kitchenware.

A trademark application for ‘American Riviera Orchard’ showed Meghan could sell cutlery, decanters, legume-based spreads and even napkin rings.

This follows Meghan, 42, closing her former lifestyle page, The Tig, in April 2017, shortly after she started dating Prince Harry.

There’s a real opportunity for her to make it more accessible than Flamingo Estate [a luxury LA-based lifestyle company selling soaps and gifts], and market high-class America to an aspiring middle-class American crowd

Lucie Greenebrand strategist

New Sussex shows

We recently shared how the Duchess of Sussex is set to launch a new series on “cooking, gardening and friendship”.

She and Harry have two untitled non-fiction projects in production.

The shows form part of the “creative partnership” Archewell Productions signed with the streaming giant in 2020.

The first series will focus on Meghan and explore “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship”, according to Deadline.

The second series will follow the couple’s love of professional polo.

Primarily shot at the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, the project will be produced by Boardwalk Pictures.

Prince Harry, 39, is known as a keen polo player.

The couple launched their documentary Harry and Meghan in 2022, offering an insight into their relationship.

PA

Meghan’s company is said to be focusing on home, garden, food, and general lifestyle content[/caption]

instagram/delfinablaquier

instagram/delfinablaquier

Instgram/americanrivieraorchard

Meghan treated fans to a first look at her new luxury brand after she was spotted in a vintage-style clip on Instagram[/caption]

Instgram/americanrivieraorchard

The grainy footage shows the duchess arranging flowers and baking in her stunning home for a fresh new side hustle[/caption]