Meghan Markle's latest entrepreneurial venture, American Riviera Orchard, appears to tread on precarious ground within the confines of royal protocols.
Launching her brand, Take 2.0, on Instagram, she swiftly amassed over 250,000 followers. Yet, this new venture potentially poses significant challenges for Meghan. Russell MIRS, an associate editor at the Mirror, highlighted a potential breach of a commercial agreement with Harry's family.
He pointed out on X, formerly Twitter, that signing up for information on Meghan Markle's new business venture would notify users about products, a clear violation of the agreement by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who pledged not to profit from their royal titles.
The unveiling of American Riviera Orchard was accompanied by a video on Instagram stories, showcasing the brand's elegant gold calligraphy logo and its profile grid. Set to the tune of "I Wish You Love" by Nancy Wilson, the video offers glimpses into Meghan's home life. The brand's Instagram bio simply credits Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, establishing it in 2024 and directs users to its website, Americanriviera.com.
Visitors to the website are prompted to join a waiting list, with limited details provided upon signup. Users receive a message expressing a desire to keep them informed about product releases, availability, and updates from American Riviera Orchard. Many royal fans perceive this as a blatant breach of the supposed assurances Harry and Meghan gave to the late Queen when they resigned as working royals in 2020. This action dangerously flirts with using their royal status for commercial gain, a direct contradiction to the agreements made during the Sandringham Summit.
Following the Summit, Harry and Meghan agreed to step back from royal duties and refrain from using their HR titles for business purposes. They were also required to halt their existing website, sussexroyal.com, which had been launched without warning, effectively outlining their plans for a semi-royal life. Since then, they've operated under the guise of ARLE, making Meghan Markle's new business endeavor a contentious issue, seemingly reopening old wounds.
Critics argue that the launch of the Take 2.0 brand on Instagram, coupled with the unveiling of their new website, occurred at a time when Princess Katherine and Prince William faced severe bullying on social media. Moreover, it's noted that the trademark process for Meghan's venture hasn't been completed yet, suggesting it's a relatively new concept she quickly assembled.
This sequence of events, from the February trademark filing to the launch of the website amidst social media controversies surrounding the royal family, prompts discussions about the role of King Charles and Prince William in enforcing royal protocols. Should King Charles confront their actions more assertively, or will Prince William need to formally announce the removal of titles, relegating Harry and Meghan to mere figures of ridicule? The unfolding saga awaits swift actions and decisive decisions from the monarchy.
