The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has made a comeback on Instagram, unveiling what appears to be a new lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard. On Thursday, she launched a new website and Instagram page for this venture. The Instagram page's bio simply states, "From Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Established 2024." In her first Instagram Story, Meghan, 42, can be seen picking flowers and cooking in the kitchen, accompanied by the tune of Nancy Wilson's "I Wish You Love."
The name "American Riviera Orchard" seems to be a nod to Santa Barbara, the California town where Meghan resides with Prince Harry and their two children: four-year-old son Prince Archie and two-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet. Santa Barbara has been referred to as the "American Riviera" for over a century due to its pleasant climate, lush landscapes, and vibrant food and wine culture.
The logo of the brand also includes the name "Mont Sito," which happens to be the name of the neighborhood they live in. The trademark application for American Riviera Orchard reveals the brand's intention to sell tableware, drinkware (including glassware), and kitchen linens. It also seeks approval for edible confections like jellies, jams, marmalades, and spreads. Additionally, the application includes plans for cookbooks.
The website's waitlist subscription offers a way for interested individuals to stay informed about product availability and updates. It promises a similar experience to "The Tig," a lifestyle blog that Meghan started in 2014 but shut down in 2017.
After her engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan closed her social media profiles, including her Instagram page with 3 million followers, and discontinued "The Tig." Following their marriage in May 2018, news about their royal activities appeared on the Kensington Royal account, alongside updates about Prince William and Kate Middleton. The following year, the couple launched a separate Instagram page called Sussex Royal as part of their plan to establish a distinct office from William and Kate.
In a 2022 interview with New York Magazine, Meghan revealed the strict rules surrounding the Royal Family's social media. She mentioned that if she wanted to share pictures of her child as a family member, she had to provide them to the Royal Rota, referring to the UK media pool. She questioned why pictures of her baby were released to the media before she could share them with her loved ones.
During the same interview, Meghan hinted at returning to Instagram, saying, "Do you want to know a secret? I will return to Instagram." However, she also expressed uncertainty about actually following through with it, indicating a change in perspective from previous years when she deliberately stayed away from social media.
