Stacey Jackson
August 28, 2024
The Duchess of Sussex is struggling to find a CEO for her American brand, Riviera Orchid, with sources saying Markle is “difficult to work with”.
Meghan Markle's passion project, American Riviera Orchid, appears to be delayed, as the Duchess of Sussex is reportedly struggling to find a CEO to lead her lifestyle brand.
A source told Closer that the brand's lack of progress comes after more than a dozen staff members quit their jobs for Markle. “The numbers don't lie – the fact that nearly 20 staff have left speaks for itself – it's unprecedented, even for a start-up,” the source said. “The brutal reality is that Harry and Meghan are the toughest bosses around. They're demanding and difficult to work with, which is causing a lot of backlash.”
It's been months since Markle first announced the brand in March, but consumers still don't know anything about a launch date for American Riviera Orchid products. According to People magazine, the “Suits” actress announced the news about the brand on her new website and Instagram page. In a now-expired Instagram Story, she was seen arranging flowers and cooking in her kitchen. A source told the magazine that American Riviera Orchid was a business venture she had wanted for a long time, and the brand “will reflect everything she loves: family, cooking, entertaining, and home decor.” American Riviera Orchid is named after the town of Santa Barbara, where Markle lives with Prince Harry and their children.
A source told Us Weekly in July that the brand seemed to be off to a great start, and Markle was thrilled with the early interest from fans in the brand: Her website had over 100,000 subscribers at the time.
The trademark application, filed in February, lists the “goods and services” Markle plans to sell through American Riviera Orchid. The application includes tableware, table cutlery, downloadable and printable cookbooks, servingware, decanters, dinnerware, chargers, napkin rings and table place card holders. The list also includes jellies, jams, marmalades, fruit preserves, cooking oils, fats, spreads and butter. The trademark also lists “retail store services” and online e-books.
American Riviera Orchid's website and Instagram page still lack any information about new product releases, only featuring the brand's beautiful logo. However, prospective customers can sign up for a waitlist on the website by providing their email address. The New York Post reported that Markle sent jars of strawberry jam to celebrities in April. Within a year of launch, the brand was expected to gross seven figures in sales.
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