Meghan Markle's newly launched lifestyle brand is encountering challenges right from the start, with rumors suggesting she is anxious about its potential failure and relying on her husband, Prince Harry, to salvage the situation.
Despite presenting a confident front in public, sources reveal a starkly different scenario behind the scenes. The ongoing criticism appears to be taking a toll on Meghan.
In March, Meghan introduced her brand, American Riviera Orchard, but the initial product offerings—strawberry jam and "Labels of Love" jars showcased on social media—received a lukewarm response. Some insiders are already labeling the venture a failure from the beginning. The backlash has been so severe that it has reportedly discouraged potential investors, causing significant stress for Meghan. She is reportedly trying to hide her anxiety, but close associates whisper about more problems than she lets on.
Amid the growing pressure, Meghan is reportedly urging Harry to secure support from potential backers. According to insiders, Harry, who is unaccustomed to soliciting financial support outside of charity work, is now tasked with finding investors to turn the situation around. Meghan has allegedly made it clear that she expects Harry to leverage his connections and ask for favors.
The couple's recent appearance at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, which benefits Sentebale—a charity dear to Harry that supports children in Lesotho and Botswana—also served as an opportunity for Harry to engage potential donors for Meghan's brand. Despite feeling out of his element, Harry is doing his best to fulfill Meghan's expectations, understanding the significant stakes involved if the brand fails. Comparisons to Gwyneth Paltrow's successful Goop lifestyle brand have only added to the pressure.
At the Polo Challenge, Harry approached his friend Nacho Figueras with a pitch for investment in Meghan's American Riviera Orchard. Despite Harry's earnest plea, emphasizing the potential of Meghan's jam products, Nacho declined for various reasons. This refusal disappointed Harry but did not deter him; he continued to seek support from other attendees.
Nacho's subsequent Instagram post, featuring him eating jam on toast with Meghan's product prominently displayed, received mixed reactions. Captioned, "Did I tell you that I love your jam, Meghan?" the post aimed to promote her brand. Meghan had distributed 50 special jars of jam to friends and influencers, including Nacho's wife, Delfina Blaquier.
However, the promotion faced criticism from fans who viewed it as an inappropriate use of Meghan's connections. One comment under Nacho's post read, "Sorry if this offends, but Meghan should not be using others to promote herself." Another user, RonaldDonald41, described the promotion as "cringeworthy and embarrassing," while anleyhay9 remarked, "Now it's getting a bit forced, just saying."
The jars of jam, each hand-numbered between 1 and 50, have yet to be priced or given a sale date, leaving the future of Meghan's American Riviera Orchard brand uncertain.
