Royal fans eagerly anticipating the launch of Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard (ARO), have been met with disappointing news as reports indicate the brand has hit a significant setback. The Duchess of Sussex’s latest business venture, which promised a range of lifestyle products, has been delayed due to trademark issues, according to sources.
The launch of American Riviera Orchard was initially expected in the near future, but irregularities with the trademark application have reportedly put the plans on hold. According to the Daily Mail, records from July reveal that there were several “irregularities” that need to be “corrected” before the brand can proceed with its launch. These issues were identified four months after the initial application to register the trademark with the US Patents and Trademarks Office, the agency responsible for granting US patents and registering trademarks.
The challenges include “incorrect classification” of various products such as yoga blankets, picnic baskets, and recipe books, which have been flagged by the agency. The total fees to address these concerns are estimated to be around £9,000 ($11,382), payable to various bodies worldwide to secure the trademark.
Legal representatives for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been informed of the issues and are reportedly working to resolve them. The Duchess of Sussex’s team has yet to comment publicly on the situation.
Despite the trademark setback, Meghan Markle had initially introduced her lifestyle brand back in March with an Instagram page linked to a website featuring a waiting list for potential customers. While the official launch date remains uncertain, the duchess has been teasing fans with three new products expected to be sold under the ARO brand: strawberry jam, raspberry jam, and dog biscuits.
Additionally, there has been speculation about another potential product—a rose wine—that may be included in the brand’s offerings. However, this has not been officially confirmed.
The delay in the ARO launch coincides with Meghan Markle’s involvement in her latest project with Netflix. The Duchess is set to host a cookery show celebrating cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship. The series will be curated by Markle herself, with Leah Hariton serving as the showrunner and Michael Steed as the director. Sony Pictures Television’s Intellectual Property division will produce the show, with Meghan, Hariton, Archewell’s Chanel Pysnik, and IPC’s Aaron Saidman and Eli Holzman acting as executive producers.
Filming for the series is reportedly complete, but the release date remains under wraps. It is speculated that the series will coincide with the eventual launch of American Riviera Orchard, offering a synchronized release that aligns with Markle’s vision of lifestyle and culinary excellence.
While the trademark issues have temporarily delayed the debut of American Riviera Orchard, Meghan Markle’s team appears committed to addressing these challenges and moving forward with the brand’s launch. Fans of the Duchess of Sussex and her business endeavors will undoubtedly be watching closely for updates on both the lifestyle brand and her upcoming Netflix series, eager to see how Meghan continues to carve out her niche in the lifestyle and entertainment industries.
