Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard Would Make ‘so Much More Sense’ as Something Different From a Lifestyle Brand, Commentator Says: ‘It Would Be Fantastic’
Meghan Markle’s back in the lifestyle space with American Riviera Orchard. However, a royal commentator says the Duchess of Sussex’s new brand would make “so much more sense” as something else entirely: a members-only club. Ahead, the commentator explains why they think it’d work. Plus, who among Meghan’s friends she could turn to for advice and a potential partnership.
Commentator makes case for Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard as a members club
Meghan unveiled the American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand in March 2024. Since then, details have emerged about potential products and expansion, mainly through a trademark application.
Think preserves, yoga mats, kitchenware, and the possibility of a brick-and-mortar retail space in addition to online shopping. Additionally, Meghan has a new Netflix show in the works. It will reportedly “celebrate the joys of cooking & gardening, entertaining, and friendship.”
However, royal commentator Jack Royston, host of the Royal Report podcast, sees American Riviera Orchard excelling as an exclusive club.
“We had an idea for where Meghan could take this brand that would, I think, make so much more sense,” Royston said on the podcast (via Newsweek). “I think it would be fantastic as a private members club.”
“There could be a real orchard attached to a wonderful house where you go and stay and meet all your high-class, high profile, executive guests and so on,” he explained.
American Riviera Orchard could take after Soho Farmhouse, the members club Meghan’s long been a member of, Royston continued. “Meghan actually has contacts at the Soho House group. Specifically, her friend Markus Anderson.”
Fans of Meghan’s lifestyle blog, The Tig, may remember seeing glimpses of Soho House locations in her posts. One of its locations in London, England, also served as the venue for Meghan and Prince Harry’s first two dates in July 2016.
An American Riviera Orchard members club would help Meghan network
Partnering with Soho House would be a great “opportunity” for Meghan, according to Royston. “If Meghan teamed up with someone like Soho House, it would be a fantastic networking opportunity for her,” he said.
“Even if she didn’t do it with Soho House, but she did it as a private members club, she could use it to meet the great and good of Hollywood. And really kind of spread her wings and get herself out there. But also on her doorstep in Montecito.”
Meghan’s already laid the groundwork, he argued, by sending jars of American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam to celebrity friends, who, in turn, posted about it online. (An expert previously recommended Meghan turn to her network of celebrity friends to boost the brand.)
“It’s fantastic advertising if you’re doing private members club because look at all these big names and celebrities who have already signed up,” he said. “It would be a great symbolic way to say, ‘If you sign up, these are the famous people, you’ll be hobnobbing with, they’re already sharing the jam,’ so it would work for everyone.”
Meghan hasn’t officially launched American Riviera Orchard
At the time of writing, American Riviera Orchard isn’t officially open for business. The lifestyle brand’s Instagram page and website have not been updated since the initial announcement.
The nine tiles showing the logo in Meghan’s signature loopy cursive remain American Riviera Orchard’s only Instagram posts. Nor has the bio been updated. It still reads: “by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex,” followed by “Established 2024” and a link to the website.
The website still offers the option to sign up for a waiting list. The only thing that seems to have changed is the brand’s online following, which has grown to 617,000 followers. And, of course, the product glimpse Meghan offered in addition to her upcoming Netflix show.
