Meghan Markle recently unveiled the inaugural offering from her new venture, American Riviera Orchard.
However, the overly saccharine nature of the products has already drawn criticism. On Tuesday, Markle introduced her debut product line: a series of strawberry jams. She distributed jars to various influencers and socialites. Critics wasted no time in comparing Meghan's strawberry jam unfavorably to that of Emma Thynn, the Marchioness of Bath, renowned for her distinctive culinary creations.
Emma Thynn, the first biracial Marchioness in Britain and spouse to Ceawlin Thynn, the Viscount Weymouth, gained attention for opting for a surrogate after a perilous first pregnancy. Speculation abounds that Meghan might have drawn inspiration from Emma, perhaps even in her choice to pursue surrogacy. Emma is further recognized for her culinary finesse, having concocted her own recipes and launched a collection of bone china tea sets. Her kitchen boasts two acclaimed jams: Pink Gin and Pineapple, both sold at the Longleat shop, celebrated for their meticulous depiction of locally sourced fruits.
In contrast, Meghan's brand appears pretentious and lacking in authenticity, with some influencers suggesting that the products suffer from poor quality, inadequate labeling, and potential mass-production. Emma, known for her engaging persona and modeling endeavors with Dolce and Gabbana, is often seen as embodying qualities that Meghan lacks. Critics have labeled Meghan as opportunistic, particularly following the launch of her lifestyle brand in the wake of sensitive revelations from the royal family.
Social media comments have been scathing, with one user accusing Meghan of calculated leech behavior, especially amidst serious health updates regarding King Charles and the Princess of Wales. The product itself has been deemed underwhelming compared to the initial hype, with critics pointing out that outsourcing production does not necessarily translate to building a business empire.
Kinsey Scoffield, a Royal correspondent based in Los Angeles, lambasted the jams as merely another public relations endeavor and derided Meghan's career pursuits. Despite prior discussions about her potential political aspirations, Meghan's current focus on jam has led to speculation about her fall from grace. Scoffield also highlighted the marketing strategy of sending free samples to influencers while the products remain unavailable for purchase.
