Meghan Markle, King Charles, and the Royal Collection Shop have recently captured the attention and curiosity of royal observers.
The Royal Collection Shop recently featured an advertisement for Palace of Hollywood House Dry Gin, priced at £45. The promotional image included a gin bottle positioned next to two lemons. This seemingly innocuous presentation has sparked speculation about a potential intentional rivalry with Meghan Markle’s upcoming lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Fans were quick to notice the resemblance between this gin advertisement and Meghan Markle’s marketing strategy for her American Riviera Orchard brand. Earlier this year, Meghan announced the launch of her lifestyle brand, which, despite not yet being officially launched, has already generated significant buzz. She sent out 50 jars of homemade strawberry jam to influencer friends, who showcased the product on social media. Many of these promotional photos featured the jam surrounded by lemons in a basket. The striking similarity between the Royal Collection Shop’s gin ad and Meghan’s jam promotions did not go unnoticed. Social media erupted with comments, with one user speculating about the possibility of “delicious trolling,” while another praised the “absolutely brilliant” trolling. This playful exchange highlighted the lighthearted nature of the perceived rivalry.
However, reports suggest that Meghan Markle may be less amused and more frustrated by the situation. According to sources, Meghan views the timing of King Charles’s recent launch of organic Highgrove Royal Estate honey as a deliberate attempt to overshadow her own product debut. Meghan had previously unveiled her strawberry jam as the first product of her American Riviera Orchard brand in April. The source claims Meghan perceives Charles’s product launch as a strategic move to diminish her success. Furthermore, Meghan is reportedly displeased with Charles’s introduction of Highgrove Splash and a new men’s cologne, seeing them as additional attempts to compete with her emerging brand. The source adds that Meghan is contemplating confronting King Charles about this perceived rivalry, though Prince Harry is reportedly advising her to hold back.
Meghan Markle has ambitious plans for her lifestyle brand, aiming to establish herself as a prominent figure in the industry. Trademark filings reveal her intentions to expand American Riviera Orchard to include men’s grooming products, homewares, cooking utensils, cosmetics, and pet food. Despite these grand plans, Meghan finds herself in an unanticipated competition with her father-in-law.
King Charles is no stranger to the organic food sector. He founded Duchy Originals 34 years ago, and his latest product, Highgrove Royal Estate honey, is priced at a notable $50 per jar. A Sky News presenter commented that Charles’s product launches are not necessarily aimed at Meghan, but it appears Meghan may be leveraging the situation to bolster her competitive drive. The Royal Collection Shop’s seemingly innocent gin advertisement featuring lemons has inadvertently underscored the developing rivalry between King Charles and Meghan Markle as they both continue to expand their respective brands. Whether intentional or coincidental, this incident has added an intriguing dimension to the ongoing narrative surrounding the Sussexes and the broader royal family.
