Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle brand launch has been mocked as the Duchess’ venture is met with mixed reviews.
On Thursday, Meghan unveiled a new Instagram page and trailer for her brand ‘American Riviera Orchard’.
In the trailer, Meghan could be seen baking in her kitchen and picking flowers.
The bio for the new page says “by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex” and “Established 2024”.
The logo for the brand was also displayed accompanied by the word ‘Montecito’, the part of California where Meghan and Prince Harry have lived since leaving the Royal Family.
It has been reported that the brand will be centered around home essentials, selling cookbooks, food, and other home essentials.
The name is said to be in reference to her home in Santa Barbara, California, which has been branded the “American Riviera”.
Fans of the Duchess will be excited by the new venture, but not everybody shares the same view. Speaking on Times Radio, Assistant Editor for The Times, Kate Manley, was not convinced by the launch.
She said it didn’t come across as “feminist” despite Meghan’s passion for women’s rights.
Ms Manley said: “It sounds like a defunct record label. I am tickled by how many people have incredibly strong feelings about her. I don’t.
“But it does all boil down to the irony of ‘don’t look at me…don’t look at me…buy my napkins’. It is too comical really.
“Of all the things the world might need right now, it isn’t another aspirational lifestyle blog from someone incredibly wealthy, fresh from their mansion.
“The trailer for the new company includes a dose of flower arranging and baking, which feminism-wise is fresh from Gilead really.
“I want to back her up but everything about this new business venture isn’t screaming anything other than sanitised Goop (Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand).”
Meghan’s new brand launch comes as royal biographer Angela Levin tells The Sun that Harry and Meghan could try and befriend LA heavyweights such as the Kardashians.
She said: “Maybe if they make friends, they might both be invited around and get to know the whole [Kardashian] family.
“Meghan is always looking for people who can make her better, who she can learn from and then drops them.”
