Meghan Markle seems to be in a constant struggle, or so her supporters might claim.
The once-popular phrase, "What Meghan wants, Meghan gets," now feels like a thing of the past as her recent endeavors have faced several significant setbacks. The latest victim of these challenges is her ambitious venture into the lifestyle market with the American Riviera brand, launched with much fanfare in March.
This brand was intended to be Meghan’s grand entrance into the world of high-end lifestyle products, offering everything from artisanal jams to chic dog biscuits. It seemed that Meghan was ready to take the market by storm. However, the reality has been far from glamorous. Instead of captivating the public, the brand has struggled to gain traction, leaving many consumers confused about its true purpose.
The concept behind American Riviera was straightforward: sell a luxurious lifestyle through a range of products, including salt and pepper shakers, olive oil dispensers, and more. However, as has often been the case with Meghan’s projects, the execution has been marred by numerous problems. Reports suggest that many of the products were not properly registered, leading to delays and unexpected costs. While these financial setbacks might not be catastrophic, they are significant enough to cause concern within her team.
According to the Daily Mail, issues with American Riviera's trademark registration emerged as early as July. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office flagged several irregularities that needed to be addressed, including incorrect classifications for items like yoga blankets and picnic baskets. The necessary corrections and associated fees are reported to amount to around £9,000 or approximately $12,000. This administrative oversight is just the tip of the iceberg, highlighting a broader lack of organizational coherence. This fiasco has led to a swift reshuffling at Archewell, Meghan and Prince Harry’s charitable foundation. The revolving door of personnel at Archewell suggests that the team behind American Riviera might be facing serious accountability issues.
Public reaction to the brand’s launch has been less than favorable. Many viewed the launch as an attempt to overshadow other events, including Diana’s Awards and the Kate Middleton scandal, but instead, it has become a source of embarrassment. Critics have labeled American Riviera as a "nothing burger"—a venture lacking substantial products, financial backing, or even basic paperwork. The term "empty page" seems to perfectly describe the project’s impact on the market.
In a particularly revealing moment, Meghan reportedly expressed her frustration, saying, "I pay these people good money to organize things they’re supposed to be good at. Why does it always fall down to me?" While it’s easy to sympathize with someone facing mounting frustrations, this situation seems to underscore a recurring issue: a lack of effective leadership and an understanding of what it takes to run a successful enterprise.
The ongoing saga of American Riviera mirrors other high-profile but failed ventures, such as Meghan’s Netflix cooking show, Prince Harry’s polo series, and various film projects. Critics argue that these projects are more about generating buzz than delivering substance. The narrative that Meghan’s ventures are often more hype than reality seems to persist.
As Meghan reportedly grapples with the fallout from the American Riviera debacle, it remains to be seen whether the brand will ever recover. With a reputation for acting on instinct and pursuing personal motives, it’s no wonder that many are skeptical about the future of this latest endeavor. For now, the saga of Meghan Markle’s ventures continues to be a source of both drama and amusement.
