Meghan Markle ‘couldn’t be more excited’ about American Riviera Orchard, sources have claimed – as they revealed she is likely to launch the lifestyle brand next year.
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The Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 before moving to California with Prince Harry, has been teasing the launch of American Riviera Orchard for months. She first created an Instagram page for the label in March 2024, with excited fans signing up for updates on the brand’s official website. In the months that followed, the royal mother-of-two began to showcase the kind of products that customers might expect from her new project.
A-list members of the Sussexes’ circle were sent hampers of ARO jam, with reality star Kris Jenner, actress Mindy Kaling and model Chrissy Teigen all joining Meghan’s ‘jam club’. Trademarks were registered and sources spoke of Meghan’s delight at launching a brand which felt aligned with the principles close to her heart.
Yet there was no update on a launch date for American Riviera Orchard (also known as ARO). Sources close to Meghan revealed to MailOnline that the US Patents and Trademarks Office issued Notices of Irregularities over the brand’s trademark applications – noting ‘irregularities’ that must be ‘corrected’ before the full-scale launch scheduled for next year.
Now, it seems, the Duchess is getting excited about the launch of the brand, with sources telling Us Weekly it will time perfectly with the release of her new Netflix series. Insiders said, ‘[ARO] will likely be very much in line with who Meghan is as a person. She loves hosting events, and she’s very thoughtful about how she treats her guests whenever they come over.’
The series itself will be a ‘take on her and the joy of living’, including little things she’s learned in terms of being a modern-day hostess.’ Rumours have already started swirling about those who might appear in the series – including Prince Harry, and noted members of the ‘jam club.’ Sources suggested fans can expect to see ‘familiar faces from pop culture to culinary to beauty.’
And it seems the former actress is putting all of her energy into ARO, with the insiders suggesting ‘running for office, returning to acting and writing a memoir’ are ‘not currently on the Duchess’ radar’.
Originally published in Tatler.com
