Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand has yet to release a single product five months after its glitzy Instagram launch, sparking concern among pundits about its future.
American Riviera Orchard, which plans to sell kitchenware, jams and jellies, has so far only shared some of its products with famous friends.
The brand’s Instagram page and website also remain empty and there is still no option for customers to purchase products.
Instead, visitors are greeted by a logo and branding that appear in gold against a faded background.
“If I were an investor, I would have serious concerns,” said public relations and brand marketing expert Matt Yanofsky. The times.
Pictured: Meghan Markle speaking on stage at the Archewell Foundation Parents Summit in October.
Meghan had sought to trademark the name of her service, American Riviera Orchard, for international use ahead of a full-scale launch next year.
“If I’m an investor, I say, ‘You need to find a CEO with a straightforward business plan that shows profitability, or at least a revenue plan within the next 60 to 90 days.’”
“Otherwise, I will withdraw my money.”
The new concerns come after the Duchess of Sussex’s brand suffered a setback earlier this month.
Meghan had planned to trademark the name of her service for international use ahead of a full-scale launch next year.
But records show that in July – some four months after applying for registration – there were a number of “irregularities” that needed to be “corrected.”
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office notified the Sussexes’ lawyers of several issues, including the misclassification of yoga blankets, picnic baskets and recipe books.
And the agency said fees must be paid to various bodies around the world to register the trademark, totalling $11,382 (nearly £9,000).
There are also reports that Meghan has so far failed to hire a permanent CEO for American Orchard Riviera.
Potential candidates were said to have been deterred from the role by high staff turnover at Archewell, an organisation Meghan and Prince Harry set up in 2020 to handle their business and charity work.
Earlier this month, Josh Kettler became the ninth member of staff to leave the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s office in three years after he stepped down from his role as Harry’s chief of staff. Mr Kettler had been in the role for just three months.
Pictured: Meghan Markle chats to people inside the Drawing Room during a visit to Cardiff Castle in January.
American model and television personality Chrissy Teigen poses with a jar of Meghan Markle jam
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex rides around The Mall in a horse-drawn carriage during Trooping The Colour 2018
Meghan shared a video on Instagram giving viewers a hint of what they can expect from her brand. There’s a clip of Meghan cooking in a kitchen, filled with various high-quality kitchen utensils.
Sources close to Meghan, however, have dismissed rumours that there are concerns about the brand.
People magazine, which is considered a publication close to Prince Harry and Meghan, reported on August 28 that the Duchess was “preparing for the launch of her new lifestyle brand.”
The source said Meghan was “excited about her latest personal venture” and that this was something she had “wanted to do for a long time.”
Meghan launched American Orchard Riviera in March with a teasing ad that showed her arranging flowers and stirring a plate of something while being filmed in soft focus in her creamy-hued kitchen.
The video was posted on the brand’s Instagram account and experts initially predicted it could reach six-figure sales within weeks.
Pictured: Meghan and Harry attending the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in aid of Sentebale in April
Meghan helps prepare food during her visit to Hubb Community Kitchen in 2018.
Sources close to Meghan, however, have dismissed rumours that there are concerns about the brand.
A source told US entertainment website Page Six that the brand would focus on “things that are close to her heart” and would be an extension of her former lifestyle blog, The Tig.
It is expected to sell items such as spices, condiments, nut butters, jams and jellies, “edible oils and fats” and spreads made from legumes, garlic and sesame, as well as herbal teas, honey dippers and bird feeders.