Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been making headlines with the upcoming launch of her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. However, the brand has hit a snag before its official launch due to trademark “irregularities” that were discovered. Reports indicate that several items intended to be sold by the luxury brand, such as yoga mats and picnic labels, were incorrectly labeled and needed to be corrected. This mistake, identified by the US Patents and Trademarks Office in July, will cost an estimated $11,382 to fix.
Despite this setback, the commercial production of American Riviera Orchard is reportedly being taken over by Netflix, the streaming giant, ahead of the release of Meghan’s new cooking show. It is believed that Netflix will cover the cost of correcting the trademark issues. News of American Riviera Orchard first surfaced earlier this year when Meghan set up a website and Instagram page for the brand. The pages revealed the brand’s logo and name, “ARO,” as well as the word “Montecito,” referencing the California town where Meghan resides with Prince Harry and their children.
The brand’s products were soft-launched on social media by Meghan’s celebrity friends and influencers, who were gifted exclusive batches of raspberry and strawberry jam and dog biscuits. An insider revealed that Meghan plans to sell products that are “close to her heart,” including rosé wine. American Riviera Orchard is not Meghan’s first venture into the lifestyle space, as she previously ran a successful lifestyle blog called The Tig before joining the royal family in 2018.
Meghan launched the brand via an Instagram video showcasing her arranging flowers and cooking to the backdrop of Nancy Wilson’s “I Wish You Love.” The brand aims to position Meghan as “a beacon of inspiration, aspiration, and attainability,” according to a source cited by the Daily Mail. Fashion designer Tracy Robbins, who shared the jam on social media, expressed her delight with the product, calling it a sweet addition to her meals.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office website reveals that the company has also applied to sell downloadable and printed recipe books, tableware, and textiles. As the brand prepares for its official launch, fans and followers eagerly anticipate the unique products and offerings that Meghan will bring to the market. The Independent has reached out to Netflix and a representative for Meghan Markle for further comment on the brand’s progress and future plans.
