Meghan Markle broke huge Royal Family rule with launch of American Riviera Orchard

Meghan Markle launched her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard and has grown a huge following on Instagram – but the Duchess could have been in for a telling off

Meghan Markle launched a new brand this year

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been living by their own rules since they stepped down from the Royal Family and relocated to the United States.

However, if Meghan hadn’t quit, she might have found herself in a bit of a pickle with the launch of her new luxury lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard. That’s because she’s using the Sussex name to promote her new venture.

The Duchess of Sussex unveiled her new lifestyle brand back in March and has already amassed a large following on Instagram. Although the brand hasn’t started selling anything yet, it plans to offer a wide variety of products including home goods, cookware, pet products, gardening tools, beverages, food, and condiments.

Meghan Markle used her brand to release a jam to her pals ( Image: Kris Jenner/Instagram)

It’s unclear when her next product will be released ( Image: Getty Images)
The launch of American Riviera Orchard could potentially put Meghan in a tricky situation as Royal Family members are not allowed to advertise or associate themselves with brand partnerships and endorsements. The new venture also uses Meghan’s Royal title of Duchess of Sussex, as seen in the brand’s Instagram bio, which reads “by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex”.

Privacy expert Trevor Cooke told The Mirror: “Members of the Royal Family must tread carefully on social media, balancing their personal interests with their responsibilities to the monarchy. Any misstep could have significant repercussions for their reputation and the institution they represent.”

Insiders initially suggested that following the launch of American Riviera Orchard, Meghan could rake in a hefty sum, with sales projections soaring into six figures, and comparisons to Martha Stewart began to surface, much to the latter’s annoyance.

The Duchess of Sussex could get a big fee for her business ( Image: Getty Images for Project Healthy Minds)

A source disclosed to In Touch magazine that the chef is far from flattered by the parallels drawn between her and Meghan, stating: “Martha has seen hundreds of Meghan types come and go – and says they all come in with the same self-inflated hype, only to find out it’s a whole new ball game when it comes down to brass tacks.

“She’s tired of being quizzed by people over how she feels about Meghan’s venture because, honestly, it’s irritating and insulting to her that she’s being compared to a rookie!” They also suggested Martha is not taking the comparison lightly, adding: “If Meghan thinks she can come along and replicate that with barely any experience simply because she’s married to a prince, she better think again.

“Martha doesn’t put a whole lot of faith in her succeeding, but if she does prove to be any competition, Martha won’t hold back in trying to take her down.”