Meghan Markle launched her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard in March but little has been revealed about it so far.
Meghan Markle has reportedly been struggling to find a chef to work alongside her on new company American Riviera Orchard, with one royal commentator suggesting she is now at a “stalemate”.
The Duchess of Sussex launched her lifestyle brand earlier this year, and although it now has its own Instagram page, very few details about the business have been made public.
It is understood that American Riviera Orchard will sell a range of items relating to lifestyle and homeware, such as crockery, pet products and cooking paraphernalia, with Meghan also said to be working on a new Netflix cooking show to tie in with the launch.
In April, the Duchess sent out 50 individually customised jars of strawberry jam to friends and social media influencers but there has been little information so far on any new products.
Royal Family expert Angela Levin told GBN America: “She is very upset about what is happening with this American Orchard Rivera. She is not happy about how it has been received. The jam was a bit of a laughing stock, she sent it off to about fifty friends and only a few replied.
Meghan Markle launched her brand American Riviera Orchard (Image: Getty)
“Everyone said that she is in a jam. It is not moving forward. She has had a lot of trouble finding a CEO to run it for her and she is having a lot of trouble finding a chef.
“Some of them have gone along to see how it is but they say she is so meticulous about everything.
“She’s so demanding and they don’t really want that. These are chefs who have good jobs, and they’re not people who are learning.
“So it’s a bit of a stalemate, but she has got 150 things on her link, and she’s applied for a global patent.”
The Duchess is said to be looking for a chef (Image: Getty)
Ms Levin also addressed the vast range of products Meghan was hoping to sell and how difficult it would actually be to get the business up and running.
She continued: “Some of the things [she will be selling] are fabric gift wraps, cocktail napkins, meditation maps, pillows for household pets, a whole range of things from A to Z.
“We’ll have to see how she gets on. I think she’s she’s finding it much more difficult than she thought. I think she thought she would sail in and everybody would think it was wonderful, but actually it’s jolly hard work.”
One PR expert explained to Express.co.uk how Meghan could score a big win if she made her strawberry jam available to the masses, given she sourced it “in Montecito and lovingly made it by hand”.
The Duchess has been supported by her husband Prince Harry (Image: Getty)
Megan Boyle, head of digital PR at TAL Agency, said: “Given the limited numbers and Meghan handing out the jars herself, it’s highly likely that Meghan sourced the jam in Montecito and produced it by hand, to make the recipients feel special and considered.
“This approach shows Meghan is firmly putting the focus on her brand, and the ARO [American Riviera Orchard] lifestyle, rather than it being her own personal brand.
“The whole premise of ARO is to highlight the exceptional quality and products that have been lovingly handmade. Not only does it get the brand out there but it also keeps it in line with the homely aesthetic she’s striving for.”
