Meghan Markle's recent foray into the business world, including the launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, is encountering significant challenges that threaten to derail her ambitions following her departure from the royal family.
After stepping back from royal duties, Meghan aimed to establish a distinctive presence in the business sector. However, her ventures, which include writing children's books, podcasting, and launching lifestyle products, have struggled to gain the traction she had hoped for. American Riviera Orchard, which was touted as Meghan's latest effort to create a business empire akin to Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, has had a rocky start. Critics have dismissed it as little more than a vanity project.
Fans eagerly anticipated the brand's first product—a limited edition jam—but many were left disappointed by its poor quality and high price. Some critics even accused Meghan of simply relabeling store-bought jam, casting doubt on her authenticity and commitment to the brand. These challenges, coupled with the struggles of her other ventures like the much-anticipated "Lemonade" podcast, which has yet to materialize, have only added to her business woes. Additionally, donations to her nonprofit, Archewell, have significantly decreased. In a major setback, Meghan and Prince Harry lost a $20 million Spotify deal due to a lack of visible progress, sparking rumors that their Netflix contract might also be at risk of non-renewal. This lack of success has fueled speculation that Meghan and Harry may be difficult to work with or not as creative and innovative as their media partners initially believed.
Facing these mounting challenges, Meghan is now pivoting her strategy. She plans to endorse smaller businesses and products on the American Riviera Orchard website, hoping to create multiple income streams through sales commissions, affiliate links, and product promotions. This approach mirrors the influencer business model made famous by Oprah’s “Favorite Things” list and is aimed at female entrepreneurs seeking Meghan’s endorsement to elevate their brands. However, this shift toward an influencer-style business model marks a significant departure from her original goal of creating a high-end lifestyle brand. Critics argue that this strategy smacks of desperation rather than a thoughtful reinvention.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry’s plans to visit New York on the same day as Prince William have fueled speculation about a possible, though highly unlikely, royal reunion. Such speculation highlights the ongoing drama surrounding the couple, which has overshadowed their attempts at rebranding. The once highly anticipated ventures of Meghan and Harry now seem riddled with missteps and controversy, leaving their future in the business world uncertain.
