Meghan Markle’s new brand gets ‘hijacked’ for good cause
Meghan Markle's new brand marked her return to social media. Photo: Getty
It seems as though the domain name for Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle brand has been hijacked by a royalist with pretty decent intentions.
Last month, Meghan made her long-awaited return to social media by quietly launching a new Instagram account.
It marked the Duchess of Sussex’s first official social media account since she and husband Prince Harry shelved their Sussex Royal accounts as they officially quit royal duties in 2020.
Under the name American Riviera Orchard, the new account was launched with a cryptic video on Instagram Stories, in which Meghan was seen arranging a bouquet of white roses and cooking at what looked to be her home in California.
Of course, American Riviera Orchard has its own website too, and with a “.com” at the end (americanrivieraorchard.com), you will be able to view the site and sign up for the waitlist.
However, at least for a short amount of time, it appeared as though someone acquired the UK domain name.
According to The Telegraph, when clicking on americanrivieraorchard.uk, people were being redirected to a page raising money for the Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity and foodbank which is based in the UK.
“Not Meghan. Hope Meghan wouldn’t mind. Thoughts with Catherine,” the Just Giving page reads.
Charity distances itself from fundraiser
So far, over $13,000 has been raised through the Just Giving fundraiser and people are leaving their best wishes for Catherine.
“In honour of the Beloved (worldwide) Princess of Wales, Catherine. Xoxo Love, admiration, & respect from the US,” one donor said.
On X, the Trussell Trust said it was in no way affiliated with the Just Giving fundraiser, or American Riviera Orchard’s UK domain online, which apparently no longer exists.
Whoever set up the fundraiser also sent their best wishes to Kate. Photo: Getty
“Hi, we are not associated with this website domain,” the charity said in response to someone who has now deleted their tweet.
“We weren’t aware of the website prior to it going live and have not had any direct contact with the person who set it up. We’re grateful to people who are able to support our work to end the need for food banks in the UK.”
Tweet from @TrussellTrust
Meghan extols simple joys
Just days ago, we got a glimpse of what Meghan’s new endeavour will be.
A few famous faces started sharing images of jam on social media, all with the American Riviera Orchard logo, suggesting the brand will be bringing out food products.
It seems fitting as Meghan will be producing a Netflix show that will be about “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship”.
Before she joined the royal family, Meghan had her blog, The Tig, where she shared lifestyle content.
According to Vogue, Meghan has filed several trademarks for American Riviera Orchard, including for cookbooks, linens, stationery, yoga kits and table place-card holders.
While Prince Harry and Meghan may have given up their royal duties, they haven’t give up the celebrity life.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex drew a crowd of media and the wealthy earlier this month as Harry played a celebrity pro-am polo match to benefit Sentebale, the charity he founded in 2006 for children and young adults who live in Lesotho and Botswana.
– with AAP
