Meghan Markle has faced scathing criticism for her latest venture, with her lifestyle brand's name drawing comparisons to that of a senior living facility.
Markle's newly unveiled project, Des, has sparked significant backlash due to its controversial name, which continues to raise eyebrows among experts. The Duchess announced "American Riviera Orchard" via a video shared on Instagram, garnering over 500,000 followers. The brand's focus encompasses the production and sale of various products, including jams that align with Meghan's upcoming cookery show for Netflix.
While its trademark covers a wide array of goods from cutlery to recipe books, the brand's name has stirred skepticism among several royal observers.
Royal commentator Kiny Scoffield, speaking on the R Panahi Show on Sky News Australia, likened "American Riviera Orchard" to the moniker of a senior living facility. Scoffield noted Markle's apparent attempt to embed herself in the Santa Barbara community, despite her relatively short tenure there compared to her lengthy stint as a duchess. Sky News host Rita Panahi criticized the brand name as "pretentiously stupid," suggesting it was chosen without much thought. Panahi questioned whether the name was merely an attempt to sound sophisticated, rather than reflecting the essence of the brand's offerings.
Moreover, concerns have been raised about the originality of Markle's choice of name. Some allege that she borrowed "American Riviera" from existing businesses, and the term "Orchard" seems incongruous with the range of products she intends to sell. Critics argue that the name appears to be an attempt to justify upscale pricing rather than accurately represent the brand's identity. Doubts persist about the brand's viability, with some viewing it as a mere imitation of other ventures without any distinctive appeal.
In addition to facing criticism for her brand's name, Markle's foray into commercial ventures could jeopardize her royal title. By incorporating her title of Duchess of Sussex into the introduction of "American Riviera Orchard," Markle risks undermining her royal standing. Royal expert Tom Quinn warns that Markle is treading a dangerous path by pursuing commercial projects, as it could lead to the loss of her royal title. The royal family is wary of members leveraging their titles for financial gain, viewing it as a potential threat to the monarchy's integrity. While no immediate action is anticipated, the firm is closely monitoring Markle's activities and may take decisive action in the future to safeguard the monarchy's interests.
