Meghan Markle has set her sights on establishing a new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which she envisions as a competitor to Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic Goop.
But the road to building this brand has been anything but smooth—more of a winding path littered with missteps and roadblocks. Known for being embroiled in controversies—from public family feuds to tense relations with the British Royal Family—Meghan is no stranger to navigating the media spotlight. However, this time the stakes are higher, and the challenges are coming at her faster than an overloaded double-decker sandwich.
Currently, Meghan is tangled in a trademark dispute that could make even seasoned entrepreneurs wince. The core issue? Her attempt to trademark the name American Riviera Orchard was swiftly rejected. The reason behind the refusal was that her legal team tried to claim exclusive ownership of a name tied to a well-known region in California. The legal team, led by attorney Margerie Whitter Norman, seems to have missed several crucial details. The application not only lacked a signature but was also inadequately funded. While they had the financial backing to cover 17 product classes, they submitted only a vague description related to garden tools, leaving officials scratching their heads at the ambiguity. Adding to the setback, trademark officials deemed the term American Riviera too common for exclusive use, essentially telling Meghan, “Sorry, but you can’t own the California coastline.”
The official response was clear: no exclusive claim could be made to the name American Riviera, outside of its specific branding context. With this legal roadblock, one wonders if Meghan might try to trademark the "starry sky" for a line of luxury candles next. Adding to the confusion, descriptions of various products like cocktail napkins and pans were too broad, and the ambitious idea of selling kits with edible oils, preserves, and butters left officials puzzled. Perhaps they’re wondering if these kits include a side of pricey therapy to handle a dose of entrepreneurial reality.
While Meghan grapples with these setbacks, her potential rival Goop is reportedly in troubled waters, struggling with declining sales. The situation might seem like a golden opportunity for Meghan, but at this point, it feels more like watching a toddler trying to play chess—pieces are scattered, and no one seems to have a clear strategy. With rumors of layoffs at Goop, Meghan is reportedly eyeing former Goop staffers to join her venture. After all, if a ship is sinking, why not try to jump onto another?
The real problem for Goop isn’t a lack of talent—it’s consumer fatigue with the brand’s notoriously high prices for products that sometimes resemble thrift shop finds. Meghan’s efforts to build American Riviera Orchard may indeed turn out to be the most unintentionally entertaining reality show no one asked for. With each misstep, Meghan is paving a path that blends ambition with a dash of comedic chaos.
