Meghan Markle Is Reportedly Disappointed By the Reception of Her Lifestyle Brand. Meghan was in tears when the brand launched. In March, Meghan Markle announced the launch of her luxury lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, inspired by her life in Montecito. The brand is set to offer a range of products including "tableware, drinkware such as decanters, kitchen linens, and edible treats like jellies, jams, marmalade, and spreads." While many royal fans were thrilled about the new venture, some critics mocked the products—and it seems Markle took the criticism to heart.
"Meghan was in tears when the brand launched, and her new jam was widely ridiculed for being overpriced and underwhelming," royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror. "She’s reached a point where she feels that everything she does is met with unfair criticism. Like her husband, she feels that people are unjustly targeting her—she can’t understand why her work isn’t more appreciated."
Quinn added, "She is particularly sensitive about any criticism of her luxurious lifestyle in the US. From her perspective, this is something to be admired, not criticized."
Despite the backlash, Markle is reportedly still "excited" about the brand’s upcoming launch later this year. "She is thrilled about this new personal venture," a source told People in March. "It’s something she’s been dreaming of for a while. She’s eager to share her style and the things she loves."
American Riviera Orchard is just one of Markle's major projects. Alongside her husband, Prince Harry, she has been involved in several high-profile initiatives, including their Netflix documentary, podcast, and recent tours to Nigeria and Colombia. They are also reportedly working on "a movie, a TV show, and a couple of unscripted series" for Netflix. Additionally, they launched The Parents' Network this year to support families affected by cyberbullying.
Another royal expert, Hugo Vickers, recently suggested that the couple’s busy schedule may be an attempt to stay relevant and maintain their brand. "Unless they continue to introduce new initiatives and products, they risk fading into obscurity like many other celebrities," Vickers said. "If that happens, their future could look rather bleak."
