A rumor has been circulating on Twitter suggesting that Meghan Markle has permanently shut down her business venture, American Riviera Orchard.
This claim, originating from a Twitter user @toova212, alleges that TMZ reported the closure due to a lack of financial backing. The tweet also mentioned that the venture would be remembered merely as "52 jam jars and a single jar of dog treats." However, a closer examination of these claims reveals inconsistencies and raises questions about their legitimacy.
The news about American Riviera Orchard quickly gained traction on Twitter. The original tweet amassed over 162,000 views, 250 reposts, 3,000 likes, and 171 comments. Despite its viral status, the authenticity of the information remains dubious. A diligent search of TMZ's archives and other credible news sources yielded no reports confirming the closure of American Riviera Orchard. Upon investigating, it became apparent that no legitimate news outlets have covered this supposed shutdown. A search for "Meghan Markle American Riviera Orchard" on Google did not return any relevant news about the business ceasing operations.
Furthermore, American Riviera Orchard's official Instagram account and website are still active, contradicting the claims of its permanent closure. The absence of concrete evidence from TMZ or any other reputable source suggests that the claim made by @toova212 is unfounded. The purported story hasn't been corroborated by any major media outlets, and even a search directly on TMZ's platform yielded no results related to the alleged shutdown. The reliance on a single tweet without further verification highlights the ease with which misinformation can spread on social media.
In the midst of this rumor, it's essential to consider Meghan Markle's strategic decisions regarding American Riviera Orchard. Notably, Meghan has chosen to exclude Prince Harry from promotional activities for the venture. The promotional video showcases Meghan alone, implying that the project will be solely her endeavor. This strategic move could be crucial in establishing the brand's identity and credibility. Lucy Green, a branding strategist, suggests that Meghan's decision to go solo in this venture is intentional. Green told Fabulous, "Speculatively, but strategically, it could be so that there's no sense that she's leveraging a direct royal connection, or her husband, at least for commercial ends. She has credibility as a former lifestyle influencer and entrepreneur in this space; he doesn't. She's building a new business based on previous experiences and ventures."
Meghan Markle previously ran a lifestyle blog, The Tig, which featured recipes, travel, and fashion guides, but she shut it down when she started dating Prince Harry. Green added, "I think she has more credibility and has historically leaned more towards lifestyle projects, versus Harry, who's remained mainly philanthropic in his focus." Meghan teased the launch of American Riviera Orchard in March on Instagram, where the company bio reads, "By Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex."
This branding could be key to creating a "for women, by women" narrative for the brand. Green continued, "I think she's always identified herself as a female entrepreneur and a woman in business, and connected with other female leaders and celebrities on this basis." The brand expert also noted that Meghan probably wants something of her own, and historically, her brand, even in the early days as a royal, was rooted in being someone who had her own interests, career, and aspirations.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding the promotion of American Riviera Orchard, Meghan has yet to make a sale. Lucy Green shared that the delay in selling could be due to Meghan trying to find partners for the company. So far, Meghan has sent branded strawberry jams to over 50 friends and influencers, including Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dubrow, Tracey Robbins, and Kris Jenner. She also sent raspberry jam and dog treats to Prince Harry's polo pal, Nacho Figueras.
