Meghan Markle's latest venture has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with critics questioning the choice of its name.
The project, dubbed American Riviera Orchard, was unveiled through a captivating video shared on Instagram, quickly amassing over 500,000 followers. The brand's mission encompasses the production and sale of various products, including jams, which are poised to complement Meghan's forthcoming Netflix cookery show.
From cutlery to recipe books, the trademark covers a broad spectrum of goods. However, the brand's moniker has drawn skepticism from numerous royal observers.
Commentators like Kiny Scoffield, speaking on Sky News Australia's "The Payi Show," have likened the name to that of a retirement community. "American Riviera Orchard is somewhat akin to the name of a senior living facility," Scoffield remarked. Noting Meghan's relatively brief residency in Santa Barbara—just four years compared to the decades-long tenure of a duchess—she questioned the depth of Meghan's ties to the community.
Rita, another Sky News host, lambasted the brand name as "pretentiously stupid." Describing it as a name one might concoct in jest, Rita expressed disbelief at its ostentatiousness. The sentiment was echoed by Miss Baii, who suggested that Meghan's self-promotion might be veering into the realm of pretension.
Further criticism surfaced regarding the originality of the brand name. Accusations swirled that Meghan had appropriated the term "American Riviera" from existing businesses, while the choice of "Orchard" was seen as incongruous with the product lineup. The skepticism extended to doubts about the brand's viability, with predictions that it would struggle to gain traction in the competitive market.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential ramifications of Meghan's entrepreneurial pursuits on her royal status. Tom Quinn, a royal expert, warned that Meghan's commercial endeavors could jeopardize her title. He cautioned that the royal family views leveraging their titles for financial gain as a threat to the institution's integrity. While decisions regarding Meghan's title are pending, there is a palpable sense of unease within the royal circles about the implications of her business ventures.
