2024 is shaping up to be a great year for Meghan Markle! As well as signing a new podcast deal with Lemonada Media after ending things with Spotify, she has just launched a new lifestyle brand too. Could this be a bigger and better version of The Tig, which she was forced to shut down after her relationship with Prince Harry became public knowledge? It’s sure looking that way!
The Duchess of Sussex’s new lifestyle brand is called American Riviera Orchard, and she surprised fans with the name via an Instagram post on Thursday, March 14th. However, as with most things Meghan does, it was met with mixed reactions on social media – with one of the biggest criticisms being that she used her Duchess of Sussex title.
Meghan Markle's New Lifestyle Brand: American Riviera Orchard
The former Suits actress doesn't seem to be giving much away at the moment, with the Instagram bio simply reading: "By Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex" and "Established 2024." The Instagram grid and the accompanying website also features the logo with the word 'Montecito' under it, in reference to Prince Harry and Meghan's current place of residence.
A video was shared to the brand's Instagram Story on Thursday, March 14th, which showed the mom-of-two picking flowers, cooking in the kitchen, and wearing an elegant black ballgown, with the song "I Wish You Love" by Nancy Wilson playing in the background. This seems to give fans some sort of inkling about what to expect from Meghan's new venture.
It also seems to echo what an insider reportedly told Page Six, which is that the lifestyle brand will focus "on home, garden, food and general lifestyle wares." Page Six also quotes an "industry source" who spilled: "She's been working on this for over a year and it's all the things that are close to her heart – all the things she's passionate about."
Some royal fans think the timing of Meghan's new venture is interesting, as it's been announced just as Prince William's alleged affair is trending again, and just as Kate Middleton facing controversy following *that* Mother's Day photo editing blunder. And as expected, they weren't afraid to make their opinions known on social media.
Internet Reactions To Meghan Markle's New Venture
Commenting on a Good Morning America Instagram post about Meghan returning to Instagram right now, one person quipped: "She's back so she can read the comments on all the Kate articles popping up right now." Another replied, "What a way to say 'Hi Kate we're both trending,'" followed by the winking face emoji. "Interesting timing," noted another Instagram user, as another agreed, writing: "Weird, just as Kate's in the news... Tadaaa hey everyone look at me!"
Others couldn't help but slam the Duchess of Sussex, with one IG user saying: "She's everywhere and failing at everything." Another critic said, "The grifter strikes again," as another concurred: "The duchess of grifting who made bashing the royals a paid job, using her royal title as a convenience. What's the page about? Her yacht girl days with Epstein in the riviera?!" followed by three crying laughing emojis.
"Who cares! She's so thirsty it's exhausting," criticized another user, which seemed to be a recurring theme in the comments section. "Why would we care?" asked one person, as someone else begged: "Stop giving this woman any publicity!" "She's shameless," slammed another.
And then of course were the people who couldn't let the fact that she was using her Duchess of Sussex title go. Commenting on an Access Hollywood and The Access Edit Instagram post, one person said: "She doesn't want the title but she wants the title." "She seriously needs to drop that title! Is embarrassing to still use a title she's no longer entitled to," thought another. "She is not a duchess," slammed another Instagram user, as someone else exclaimed: "Shamelessness at it peak!"
