Earlier this year, Meghan Markle dipped her toes into the world of entrepreneurship with the launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. Her first product? Strawberry jam – artisanal, exclusive, and apparently, it’s got Elton John throwing a full-on diva tantrum.
Meghan debuted her new brand by sending out a limited batch of homemade strawberry jam – just 50 jars – because, of course, exclusivity is key when you’re courting the upper crust of influencers, socialites, and Meghan’s VIP circle. Among the lucky recipients were Argentinian model Delina Blacker (wife of polo player Nacho Figueras) and designer Tracy Robbins, who posted her own 17th jar on Instagram. So far, so sweet – until whispers began to circulate about where Meghan might have drawn her inspiration for this fruity venture.
While Meghan was busy spreading her strawberry dreams, Elton John was making waves on QVC with his own jam connection. Elton apparently has a long-standing tradition of making jams at his Woodside estate. This little nugget of information came to light during a QVC holiday gift show promoting Elton’s candle collaboration with Slatkin & Co, which was inspired by his “jamming adventures.” According to the product description, Elton’s jams are a symphony of raspberries, orange peel, apples, and vanilla sugar, slowly simmered to perfection. Unlike Meghan’s, Elton’s jams are legendary, credible, and perhaps more palatable to the masses.
Cue the collective side-eye – did Meghan swipe her jam inspiration from Elton? It’s hard not to imagine Elton sitting in his grand piano room, fuming at the thought of Meghan encroaching on his homemade jam territory. Sure, Meghan may dabble in diva behavior, but Elton’s practically royalty in that department. He’s got the cash, the clout, and – apparently – the recipes to back it all up.
But that’s not the end of this sticky situation. Critics argue that Meghan’s jam isn’t just potentially derivative, it’s also ill-conceived. While Elton may have been the immediate comparison, Meghan’s jam also drew some unflattering parallels to King Charles’s Highgrove collection. For years, Highgrove has offered high-quality charitable products, including preserves, with the proceeds going to good causes. Meghan’s version, on the other hand, feels more like a glorified pastime, according to skeptics. Ironically, after Meghan launched her jam, Highgrove’s jam sold out. So, while her jam may not be paying off the Sussexes' mortgage – because seriously, how many jars of jam would that take? – it did have the unintended consequence of boosting the sales of actual artisanal jams.
Critics aren’t holding back. Some argue that Meghan’s penchant for borrowing ideas from celebrities is nothing new. Whether it’s Elton John’s jam, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop vibes, or even royal traditions, the consensus seems to be that originality isn’t Meghan’s strong suit. “She’d need to sell untold jars of jam – and probably her soul – to make this profitable,” quipped one commenter. Another jabbed, “She thinks making toast requires a degree from The Culinary Institute of America.”
As the chatter continues, some speculate that Meghan may end up hawking her jam on QVC alongside Elton one day. After all, QVC’s embraced crazier ideas. Picture it: Meghan Markle’s strawberry jam in a limited-edition Duchess basket, complete with fur cones and inspirational quotes about living your truth.
At the end of the day, jam is jam – until it’s not. For Meghan, it’s a branding exercise. For Elton, it’s a family tradition. Elton’s marmalade empire remains unshaken, but Meghan’s got one thing going for her: she’s certainly stirred the pot.
