Meghan Markle's new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard suffers  huge new setback 'irregularities' in her trademark application

Meghan Markle
Meghan launched her brand American Riviera Orchard in March 2024
Getty
George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 09/08/2024

- 09:16

The name has been trademarked for international use ahead of a full-scale launch next year

The Duchess of Sussex had suffered a blow after her soon-to-launch lifestyle brand suffered a trademark setback.

Meghan Markle has sought to trademark the name of her service, American Riviera Orchard, for international use ahead of a full-scale launch next year.


However, MailOnline reports that records show that in July, some four months after requesting to register it, there were a number of "irregularities" which needed to be "corrected."

The Sussexes' lawyers have reportedly been notified by the US Patents and Trademarks Office of various issues, including incorrect classification of yoga blankets, picnic baskets and recipe books.

Meghan MarkleMeghan launched her brand American Riviera Orchard in March 2024Getty

The agency said that fees are due to various bodies around the world to register the trademark, totalling $11,382 (nearly £9,000). GB News has contacted the Sussexes for a comment.

While details about the company are still scarce it has been revealed that it will focus on home, garden, and general lifestyle content. This includes strawberry jam, jars of which were sent to 50 influencers to taste test who shared the product with their followers online.

A celebrity PR specialist has said that the brand’s minimalist social media strategy could alienate potential customers and leave the business owner “struggling to gain traction”.

Speaking on behalf of Betfred, Kayley Cornelius said: “Meghan is running before she can walk when it comes to her new brand American Riviera Orchard. It’s clear that the Duchess is trying to sell a certain lifestyle with the array of projects and products that she currently has in the pipeline, but her communication strategy is almost cryptic as she and her team are failing to speak to their audience directly."

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American Riviera Orchard jamThe American Riviera Orchard jam was shared on Tracy Robbins's Instagram storyInstagram / mrstracyrobbins

An insider told US entertainment website Page Six that the brand would focus on "things that are close to her heart" and would be an extension of her former lifestyle blog, The Tig.

Meghan has sent products including jam and dog biscuits to some friends with the next product reportedly a rose wine. A source with knowledge of the launch said that the plan is to sell Meghan as a "beacon of inspiration, aspiration and attainability."

The launch of Meghan's lifestyle brand is a move long in the making with planning going on for at least 18 months. It can be revealed that the prospect has electrified Netflix, which signed a deal with the Sussexes in 2020.

Their first documentary Harry & Meghan, which came out in December 2022, was an international success.

Meghan and HarryPrince Harry and Meghan Markle pictured at the Invictus Games in 2023Getty

However, the duchess has run into difficulty when trying to find partners to kick-start her brand. In a claim from royal author Tom Quinn, American Riviera Orchard's failings could be a sign the Sussexes' plans are in “serious trouble>"

Quinn told The Mirror: "Harry has never had any real idea about becoming an entrepreneur or a businessman in his own right."

He continued: "He is trained from birth to do one thing only - to be a royal, and he has thrown that away.

"His one hundred per cent support for his wife and her business ventures has never wavered - but it hasn't been enough to make a success of her company. Meghan is proof that self-belief won't always guarantee success. It won't always make you a great entrepreneur and businesswoman."

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