What we know about Meghan's new brand as first product launched
Meghan Markle has revealed the first product from her recently-launched lifestyle brand, America Riviera Orchard.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, first announced her new brand in March with a dedicated Instagram page and accompanying video, and now she has sent the first product to her friends to try.
Posting on Instagram, Argentine socialite and friend of Meghan and Prince Harry, Delfina Balquier, posted two images of a jar of American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam to her Instagram Stories.
The first image saw the jam spread on a piece of toast, and the second praised the jam by tagging Meghan’s lifestyle brand and stating that she “loved” their jam.
Balquier had previously attended the Sentebale polo match with Meghan and Harry last week alongside her polo player husband, Ignacio Figueras.
Tracy Robbins, wife of Paramount Pictures president Brian Robbins and another pal of Meghan’s also posted the jam to her Instagram Story.
“Thank you for the delicious basket!” she captioned the image. “I absolutely love this jam, so not sure I’m sharing with anyone.”
This is the first product that has been shared from the brand, while the Duchess has been tight-lipped on any further details. But what is American Riviera Orchard and what do we know about the brand so far?
What is American Riviera Orchard?
American Riviera Orchard is a lifestyle brand that was quietly launched by Meghan last month after a page of the same name appeared on Instagram.
The bio of the page only says 'by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex', and the website that it is linked to simply takes users to a waitlist sign up page.
At the time the page was launched, it had an accompanying video showing Meghan cooking in the kitchen and picking flowers.
The name is a nod to Santa Barbara, which is where Meghan and Harry live, as it has been nicknamed the ‘American Riviera’ for over a century.
"Meghan finds the name American Riviera Orchard perfect. It feels authentic to her. She can’t wait for the website to launch," one source told People.
The same source added that the brand "will reflect everything that [Meghan] loves – family, cooking, entertaining and home décor".
"She is excited about her latest, personal venture," they continued. "This is something she’s been wanting to do for a while. She is excited to share her style and things that she loves."
What will American Riviera Orchard sell?
Strawberry jam is likely to be the first product from the brand, after a small batch of 50 jars were sent to Meghan’s friends and select influencers.
Nut butter has also been rumoured to be one of the products, and trademark applications suggest the site will sell marmalades, fruit preserves, cookbooks, tableware, textiles, stationery, yoga gear, bags, and pet-related items like collars and bird seed.
What about The Tig?
Before Meghan married Harry and became a member of the Royal Family, she ran a lifestyle blog called The Tig where she shared travel tips, recipes, and wine recommendations.
While there were rumours that The Tig could be revived, it appears that Meghan is starting fresh instead with this new venture.
Royal Family: Read more
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The actual moment Prince William and Kate Middleton met—and no, it wasn't at uni (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
Why Prince William's first day of nursery school was one for the history books (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)
