The Palace swiftly responded as Megan's brand launch breached a strict deal with the Queen's verdict at the Singham Summit.
Meghan introduced her new Lifestyle brand, set to sell jams and kitchenware, mere minutes before Prince William's emotional speech at an awards ceremony honoring his mother. William was anticipated to make a rare joint appearance with his brother, Prince Harry, for the Diana Legacy Awards at London's Science Museum. Despite neither being present physically or virtually simultaneously, William attended the event in person while Harry was scheduled for a video link from Montesito.
While William was at the event, Megan and Harry, based in Montesito, made two personal announcements. Initially, Megan unveiled her new American Riviera Orchard Lifestyle brand. This occurred moments before William arrived at the awards ceremony. Later, while William was still present, the couple announced the winner of their $100,000 NAACP Archewell Foundation digital civil rights award. The timing of Megan's business launch, coinciding with the Diana Awards, caused a stir on social media.
Critics argued that launching the American Riviera Orchard brand during the Diana Awards diminished the significance of the event. They accused Megan of overshadowing Princess Diana's memory, expressing discontent with the timing of her website launch. Reports from the Mirror suggested that Megan's new venture might breach agreements with the royal family, particularly regarding the use of their titles for commercial purposes.
American Riviera Orchard shared videos and stories showcasing the brand's gold calligraphy logo and offering glimpses into Megan's home life, accompanied by Nancy Wilson's "I Wish You Love." The brand's Instagram bio credits Megan, the Duchess of Sussex, with its establishment in 2024 and directs users to its website, Americanriviera.com. Visitors are encouraged to join a waiting list, with limited details provided upon sign-up.
Many royal watchers view Megan's business launch as a flagrant breach of the assurances she and Harry gave to the late Queen when they stepped back from royal duties in 2020. By using the title "Duchess of Sussex" on her Instagram bio, Megan skirts dangerously close to leveraging her royal status for commercial gain. The Palace is reportedly considering taking action in response to this breach of the Queen's verdict.
Additionally, there's controversy surrounding Megan's recent comments at the SXSW event, where she allegedly remarked on traditional gender roles. Critics argue that her brand's focus on kitchenware contradicts her previous feminist stance, suggesting hypocrisy. Despite the backlash, Megan's brand seems to be gaining traction, raising questions about the extent of her adherence to the agreements made with the royal family.
