Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex with a penchant for entrepreneurship, is finding out that launching a lifestyle brand isn’t all strawberry jam and rosé.
Her latest venture, American Riviera Orchard, seems to be stuck in first gear, leaving fans and critics alike wondering: what’s the holdup?
What about Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard?
Six months after the grand announcement, ARO (as the cool kids might call it) is still more mystery than marketplace.
No products on shelves, no launch date in sight.
According to Closer, Meghan is struggling to find a CEO brave enough to take the reins.
A whistleblower has revealed that working for the Sussexes is not easy. With nearly 20 staff members jumping ship, it’s starting to feel like a game of musical chairs.
“The brutal reality is Harry and Meghan are the toughest of taskmasters, they’re very demanding and difficult to work for and that puts a lot of people’s backs up,” the insider added.
This report contradicts what was published in People, where a source claimed that it is false that the Duchess of Sussex has been struggling to find a CEO for her brand, which has caused delays in its launch.
This same source claims that the launch of American Riviera Orchard, is scheduled for later this year.
Those exclusive jars of strawberry jam that arrived at the doorsteps of celebrities and the dog cookies were the signs of a brand that was beginning to take small steps.
The name “American Riviera Orchard” is a nod to Santa Barbara, where Meghan and Harry have set up their post-royal nest. It’s a sweet touch, connecting their brand to their new hometown, nicknamed the “American Riviera” for over a century.
If the trademark application is anything to go by, we might soon see ARO-branded tableware, kitchen linens, and enough jams and spreads.
Will American Riviera Orchard bloom into a lifestyle empire, or wilt under the California sun? Only time will tell.