Sign up to our free email to get all the latest royal news and pictures We have more newsletters Sign up to our free email to get all the latest royal news and pictures We have more newsletters Meghan Markle was reportedly left feeling emotional and "in tears" amid the "unfair criticism" targeted at her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. After arriving on the scene in March with a sneak peek of her new venture through an enigmatic video elegantly filmed at her and Prince Harry's Montecito estate, the Duchess intrigued fans without giving away too many details. The clip showed Meghan whipping up treats in her kitchen, before walking through the grounds of their home.
It was soon discovered that Meghan would be selling everything from artisan style products, such as jams, oils, nut butters to household luxury items, including scents and furnishings. Yet, excitement waned and details grew scarce on when American Riviera Orchard would officially debut, pushing Meghan into defence mode where a substantial PR effort became necessary to buff up her brand's image pre-launch. Royal commentator and writer Tom Quinn has suggested that the Duchess would have felt crushed by the tepid response to her new brand, particularly stung by critiques lobbed at her artisan jam venture.
"The one fly in the ointment is Meghan's new internet brand, America Riviera Orchard. Meghan was in tears when the brand launched and her new jam was widely mocked for being expensive and nothing special.