MEGHAN MARKLE LAUNCH A BRAND

Prince Harry’s wife Meghan Markle is launching a lifestyle brand named after their oceanfront California home. An Instagram page and website for American Riviera Orchard went live without advance warning Thursday, both featuring a gold-colored crest for the new venture.

The logo featured Montecito, the celebrity enclave near Santa Barbara, sometimes referred to as the American Riviera, where the couple has been living there since 2020. The social media account’s biography simply reads: “by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.”

A representative for the duchess confirmed her participation in the new venture to AFP, without providing further details. American Riviera Orchard appears to be a brand focused on kitchens and lifestyles.

The launch was accompanied by a grainy, retro-style promotional video in which Meghan Markle is seen arranging flowers and baking. To be the first to know about products, availability, and updates from American Riviera Orchard, users were invited to sign up for a mailing list.

After quitting royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan moved to California. Their official @sussexroyal Instagram account has not posted since then. Prior to their marriage, Meghan Markle closed her personal social media accounts and former lifestyle blog.

In recent years, the couple have pursued a variety of media ventures. There have been several high-profile criticisms of the royal family, including a Netflix documentary series and Harry’s blockbuster autobiography. The couple had a Spotify exclusive podcast deal, which came to an end last year after just one show.

Netflix also dropped an animated series created by Meghan Markle. The streaming giant, however, said that several projects from the couple, including a movie, are still in the early stages of development.