On the fourth anniversary of her freedom ride from Canada to Los Angeles, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has revealed a captivating new endeavor called American Riviera Orchard. The announcement came alongside the launch of a new website and Instagram page for what seems to be a lifestyle brand. With this venture, Markle marks her return to social media.
The timing of the unveiling holds sentimental significance, as it aligns with the anniversary of Prince Harry's "freedom flight" from Canada to Los Angeles, an event documented in their Netflix series, "Harry and Meghan." On March 14th, 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by their son Archie and Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, made the journey from Vancouver Island to Los Angeles, marking their transition away from their roles as senior working royals in the United Kingdom.
The public caught a glimpse of the journey through a video recorded by Prince Harry during the plane ride. In the footage, he referred to the trip as a "freedom ride," showcasing Meghan, Archie, and Doria, while expressing gratitude to Tyler Perry, a generous friend who offered his Beverly Hills home to the family upon their arrival in the United States. Perry later disclosed his friendship with the couple in the "Harry and Meghan" series, revealing that they had asked him to be the godfather of their daughter, Princess Lilibet, who was born in California in 2021.
After four years of settling in her home state, Meghan and Prince Harry have found their place in Montecito, California—a theme that prominently features in the Duchess of Sussex's new project. The name "American Riviera Orchard" itself pays homage to Santa Barbara, the town where the couple currently resides. Santa Barbara has long been known as the "American Riviera" due to its pleasant climate, lush landscape, and thriving food and wine culture. The logo of American Riviera Orchard also incorporates "Montecito," the neighborhood they call home.
The project's initial Instagram Story showcases Meghan engaging in activities such as flower-picking and cooking in the kitchen, accompanied by Nancy Wilson's "I Wish You Love." The public website offers a waitlist subscription to stay informed about product availability and updates, hinting at something reminiscent of Markle's previous venture, The Tig—a lifestyle blog she started in 2014 and discontinued in 2017 during her engagement to Prince Harry.
