Meghan Markle’s New Luxury Lifestyle Brand Faces Early Criticism Amid Excitement

In March, Meghan Markle revealed plans to launch her highly anticipated luxury lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which draws inspiration from her life in Montecito, California. The brand is expected to feature high-end products such as tableware, drinkware, kitchen linens, and gourmet items like jellies, jams, and marmalades. While some fans are excited about the launch, others have been quick to criticize, which has reportedly affected Markle deeply.

Early Criticism and Meghan’s Reaction

According to royal expert Tom Quinn, Markle was in tears following the initial backlash, especially when her jams were labeled as overpriced and underwhelming. Quinn shared with The Mirror that Markle feels as though no matter what she does, it’s met with unfair criticism. “Like her husband, she feels that people are unfairly picking on her—she cannot understand why people don’t admire her work,” he said.

Markle is particularly sensitive to criticisms regarding her luxurious lifestyle, which has often been scrutinized by the media and royal watchers. From her perspective, Markle views her lifestyle as something to be admired, not criticized, adding to the frustration she feels when her ventures face harsh feedback.

Excitement for the Brand’s Future

Despite the negative responses, Markle remains excited about the upcoming launch of American Riviera Orchard. A source told People in March that this brand is a personal project she’s been passionate about for some time. “She is excited to share her style and things that she loves,” the source said, indicating that the Duchess of Sussex remains optimistic about the venture’s future success. Currently, the brand’s website and Instagram feature a simple, elegant aesthetic, with a gilded cursive logo on an off-white background, teasing what’s to come later this year.

Markle and Prince Harry’s Many Ventures

American Riviera Orchard is just one of many projects that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have in the works. The couple has kept busy with a variety of high-profile initiatives, including their Netflix documentary, their podcast, and two recent tours to Nigeria and Colombia. Additionally, they are reportedly developing several new shows for Netflix, including a movie, a TV show, and a few unscripted projects. They’ve also launched The Parents’ Network, an initiative aimed at helping families affected by cyberbullying.

Staying in the Public Eye

With so many projects in the pipeline, royal experts have suggested that Markle and Prince Harry are working hard to stay relevant. Hugo Vickers, another royal expert, recently claimed that the couple’s busy schedule may be driven by a desire to remain in the public eye. “Unless they keep coming up with new initiatives and new goods, they’re going to disappear like so many other celebrities,” Vickers said. He added that without a steady stream of new projects, the future of their public image could become uncertain.

As Markle prepares for the official launch of American Riviera Orchard, she remains hopeful that her passion for luxury products and lifestyle will resonate with a broader audience, despite early skepticism. Only time will tell how her latest venture will fare in the competitive world of luxury branding.