Meghan Markle, the wife of Britain's Prince Harry, has unveiled a new lifestyle brand named American Riviera Orchard, inspired by the couple's oceanside California residence. The brand's Instagram page and website went live unexpectedly, featuring a crest with the word "Montecito," the location of their home. Meghan Markle's involvement in the venture was confirmed by a representative, although specific details were not disclosed. American Riviera Orchard appears to focus on kitchen and lifestyle themes, as hinted by a promotional video showing Meghan arranging flowers and baking. The launch offers users the opportunity to sign up for updates, hinting at forthcoming products. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have ventured into various media projects, including documentaries, podcasts, and an animated series.
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has made a foray into the lifestyle industry with the launch of a new brand, American Riviera Orchard, seemingly inspired by the couple's idyllic California home.
The unveiling of American Riviera Orchard came as a surprise, with the brand's Instagram page and website going live unexpectedly on Thursday. Both platforms prominently feature a gold-colored crest bearing the name of the venture, alongside the word "Montecito" — the upscale enclave where the couple have resided since 2020, nestled near Santa Barbara, often referred to as the American Riviera.
The social media account, which bears the biography "by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex," suggests Meghan Markle's active involvement in the brand's creation and management. A representative for the duchess confirmed her participation in the venture to AFP, although further details about the brand's offerings were not provided.
American Riviera Orchard appears to center around kitchen and lifestyle themes, as indicated by a grainy, retro-style promotional video accompanying the launch. In the video, Meghan Markle is depicted arranging flowers and baking in a cozy kitchen setting, reflecting the brand's ethos of leisurely living.
The launch event also introduced a mailing list, inviting users to sign up and be among the first to receive updates about products and availability from American Riviera Orchard, hinting at an imminent product line.
Since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020 and relocating to California, Harry and Meghan have embarked on various media ventures. While their official @sussexroyal Instagram account has remained inactive since then, the couple has delved into documentaries, podcasts, and other creative projects.
Notably, their critical stance towards the British royal family has been evident in their media endeavors, including a Netflix documentary series and Harry's autobiography, "Spare." However, their podcast deal with Spotify ended after just one episode, and Netflix dropped an animated series created by Meghan Markle.
Despite these setbacks, a streaming giant executive hinted at ongoing projects from the couple, suggesting that their creative endeavors are still in the early stages of development.
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