Meghan Markle's ambitious foray into the lifestyle brand industry with American Riviera Orchard is currently facing significant setbacks, marked by a series of unfortunate and seemingly slapstick missteps.
Her dream of establishing a flourishing lifestyle empire appears to be unraveling at an alarming pace. Recently, Markle's trademark application for American Riviera Orchard was rejected by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), highlighting a classic case of not adhering to the fine print. The rejection places Meghan under a tight deadline of just three months to address the issues or risk having her application abandoned entirely. This debacle may well be the most dramatic twist in Meghan's brand saga to date.
According to the USPTO's detailed 48-page document explaining the reasons for the rejection, Markle initially fell short of the application fee, necessitating an additional $700 to continue the process. This oversight suggests either a lapse in attention to detail or an overemphasis on living her best life, leaving bureaucratic details by the wayside.
The rejection came with a comprehensive list of required amendments. Meghan was instructed to refine the identification of goods, adjust the multiple class application requirements, and disclaim the term "Riviera" in the brand's name due to its geographical descriptiveness. In simpler terms, her branding attempt faltered because the descriptions were too vague, and the geographical reference did not meet the necessary criteria.
Markle's trademark application included a broad range of everyday items, from cocktail napkins and pans to a myriad of kitchen utensils such as strainers, spoons, forks, spatulas, tongs, spreaders, whisks, and even soap dispensers. While Meghan's vision for American Riviera Orchard was to encompass a wide array of products, the execution fell short, resulting in a brand that appeared more like a jack-of-all-trades but master of none.
A source cited by The Express commented on the rigorous nature of the trademark acquisition process, suggesting that Markle's difficulties were to be expected. Nonetheless, the source expressed confidence in Meghan's dedication, asserting that a brand collapse was not imminent. However, this optimism may be misplaced given the hasty launch and subsequent issues surrounding American Riviera Orchard.
The trademark application, first submitted on February 2, outlined grand plans for selling kitchenware, drinkware, and jams. Yet, five months later, and following a lackluster Instagram launch, the brand has yet to see any products on store shelves. The application was filed under the company M Know His Best LLC, registered at the same Beverly Hills address as Harry and Meghan's Archewell organization.
One can't help but note the glaring attention to detail that seems to have eluded Meghan in her rush to launch the brand. Perhaps motivated by a desire to compete with Princess Catherine's media presence or overshadow Prince William and Harry, Meghan seems to have delivered a half-baked concept. This PR-driven approach, characterized by a premature launch before proper planning and execution, has led to a spectacular flop.
If American Riviera Orchard fails to turn a profit, it may result in another round of negative press, potentially aimed at seeking financial support from Charles. However, the reality is that Meghan and Harry are multimillionaires with substantial trust funds, and any financial misadventures are their responsibility, not the taxpayers’.
