Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent efforts have concentrated on the launch of a new campaign aimed at tackling harm caused to children online.
But as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex focus on their latest good cause, called The Parents’ Network, what’s happening to the other projects they’ve launched with great fanfare – including Meghan’s lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard?
After an artfully filmed video for social media was released in March to reveal the Duchess’ plans, celeb pals of the former actress’ were sent beautifully branded jars of jam and dog biscuits.
But little more has been officially revealed about the brand, with no Instagram posts on the firm’s official account since March and the website simply offering fans the chance to join a waitlist.
But what exactly are potential customers waiting for? Jam and dog biscuits? A source told The Daily Mail in June that the priority is instead the launch of a rosé wine. It’s unclear when exactly American Riviera Orchard products will be available.
The Duchess of Sussex marked her 40th birthday by launching her 40×40 project
While the Duchess has had many successes, including narrating a Disney documentary, working in Nigeria and a Netflix documentary, American Riviera Orchard isn’t the only venture of Meghan’s post Megxit that doesn’t appear to have skyrocketed yet.
Here, FEMAIL reveals the Duke and Duchess’ projects that, for all the carefully constructed razzmatazz of their launch, have so far come to little.
AMERICAN RIVIERA ORCHARD
Meghan Markle’s close friend and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer was one of the lucky 50 to receive a limited edition jar of the Duchess’ American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam
A photo posted on Instagram by Nacho Figueras of the container of dog biscuits included in the latest goods promoted from American Riviera Orchard
The brand’s logo is written in fine gold script above the word Montecito, where Meghan lives
American Riviera Orchard may yet to have officially launched – but Meghan has appeared to already be in full promotional mode.
In June, the Duchess sent friend Nacho Figueras a PR package containing some dog biscuits and a jar of raspberry jam from her upcoming brand.
In April, the mother-of-two sent a number of strawberry jam jars – which were part of an initial batch of 50 – to celebrity pals, including Kris Jenner, Mindy Kaling and Chrissy Teigan.
The timing of Nacho’s posts promoting Meghan’s jam caused outrage amongst royal fans, with the Argentinian’s following social media post being inundated with comments declaring him ‘shameful’ and ‘tasteless’.
It’s thought Nacho, who appeared to be in New York at the time, posted the pictures showcasing the gifts at around 11pm in the city, and about 4am in the UK, meaning British viewers saw the posts just hours before the King’s birthday parade.
The Princess of Wales, 42, who has been receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer since February, made a spectacular return to the spotlight during the annual event – marking her first public appearance this year.
Meghan first launched American Riviera Orchard with a video posted on Instagram in March.
Months later, the only sign of activity has been the jars of jam and dog biscuits sent to the duchess’s friends and social media influencers.
But apparently plans are well in progress for Meghan’s ‘lifestyle brand’, which will be inspired by the couple’s enviable life in their £10million mansion on the Californian coast.
The Daily Mail revealed in June, however, that the much-publicised jams will not be the first out of the traps as a money spinner for the brand. Rather, a source told the publication that the priority is instead the launch of a rosé wine.
Kris Jenner was one of Meghan’s celebrity friends to be gifted with a jam jar from her American Riviera Orchard
To complement the reported wine launch, it’s expected that other products in the initial tranche of releases will be drinking and serving ware, bar essentials and other products, related to hosting and entertaining.
Meghan’s lawyer has now applied to trademark the American Riviera Orchard brand in the US for various goods, including cutlery, recipe books, tablecloths, napkins, jams, edible oils, vegetable-based spreads and dairy-based spreads. All applications are still pending.