Meghan Markle warned brand's success depends on one thing
Meghan Markle soft launched American Riviera Orchard in March, but has since remained quiet about the endeavour, prompting concerns over its success.
Meghan Markle has been warned that the success of her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard depends on one key thing as the Duchess looks to launch it to the public.
Meghan soft-launched the brand back in March with a series of Instagram posts, but since then there has been little detail on what it will entail, other than the social media posts of her friends and influencers.
It's assumed that American Riviera Orchard will sell a range of jams, spreads, and dog biscuits, as well as home furnishings and kitchenware, but one expert gave some advice on how to ensure it's a success.
PR expert Renae Smith, founder and director of Atticism, said: "The success will hinge on how well the brand story is communicated and resonates with this audience.
"This approach allows Meghan to capture and test various audience segments, building a cohesive brand narrative that is both relatable and approachable.
"The diverse product range helps maintain engagement and interest, creating a holistic lifestyle brand rather than a single product line. Consistent communication and engagement are essential to keep the audience interested throughout this period."
Prince Harry given brutal eight-word warning by ex-Navy chief over award
Prince Harry was blasted by a former Royal Navy chief over his nomination for the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service, which will take place at a glitzy awards ceremony in the US this month.
It was announced in June that the Duke of Sussex will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at this year's ESPY (Excellence in Sport Performance Yearly) Awards in Los Angeles on July 11.
It will be hosted by tennis star Serena Williams, a friend of Meghan Markle.
The awards - named after former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 - are handed out by sports channel ESPN to individuals in the sporting world who have made significant contributions to the lives of others.
But the news sparked a backlash worldwide, with a petition being set up urging the awards organisers to rethink their decision.
Now Admiral Lord Alan West, who was First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 2002-06, lashed out at the royal and gave him an eight-word warning regarding his nomination.
Lord West warned Harry that "he ought to think very hard and long" about accepting particular awards it as it "doesn't travel well with people in the military". He also urged him to turn the Pat Tillman award down.
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Royal Family will breathe 'sigh of relief' after Meghan Markle's latest move
Emma Clifton, a writer for Australian Women's Weekly, said the Duchess' efforts in the venture bodes well for The Firm.
"Considering how much anticipation there was for Meghan's supposed 'tell-all-novel', her pivot into domestic goddess should surely mean there are a few sighs of relief around the palace...for now," she said.
A representative for Meghan has been approached for comment.
It was previously reported that the former Suits star was planning to write a tell all memoir, but was disuaded from the venture by Prince Harry over fears of a backlash.
In January, a source told New magazine that Meghan's upcoming book will instead highlight her efforts to support women, rather than "taking fresh swipes at the Royal Family."
Meghan Markle blasted for 'holding Harry back' from causes that don't make them money
Meghan Markle was slammed by a royal commentator who claimed she now holds Prince Harry back from supporting causes he cares about - but don't bring them money.
The comments came after the Prince of Wales was praised for his ambitious initiative on homelessness through his Royal Foundation named Homewards.
He is set to appear in a new documentary titled Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, which will go behind the scenes of the first year of the programme.
Now the heir to the throne's latest project was compared to the ones made for Netflix by the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex on GB News by presenters Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster who were joined by royal biographer Angela Levin.
Ms Levin claimed that in contrast to the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex only do stuff which will "get them money".
She also said that previously Harry was passionate about his projects but this passion, she claims, does not correspond well with his wife as they now only end up doing things that can help them financially.
The biographer told the programme: "Unfortunately, Harry and Meghan do everything that will help them and get them money. They're fantastically interested in money and not people.
"[But] I think Harry, when I went around with him and I was doing his biography, he was marvellous with ex-military people.
"[He was] wonderful but Meghan is very awkward, she's not used to talking to people like and I don't think she wants to. So I think that's very difficult."
King Charles refuses to compete with Meghan Markle for one key reason
Earlier this year Meghan launched her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard (ARO), which is set to stock a range of items from food and kitchenware to pet food and alcoholic beverages.
King Charles's beloved Highgrove home, in Gloucestershire, has also sold organic produce such as jam and honey for a number of years.
With Meghan's ARO launching strawberry jam as its first product, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has refuted any claims that there could be a clash between the two.
She told OK! magazine: "I absolutely refuse to buy into suggestions of a petty rivalry between Meghan’s products and the release of new products from the Highgrove estate.
"Highgrove has been coming up with new products for years now. The marketing might have become more sophisticated over time, but there has always been publicity about the organic produce from the farm and gardens.
"I really don’t think that Charles or his marketing people would sink so low as to try to deliberately compete with or scupper Meghan and her team.
Late Queen revealed her major concern about Prince Harry's relationship in six-word swipe
Queen Elizabeth has a six-word remark about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship following accusations of bullying against the Duchess.
Gyles Brandreth, also a close confidant of the senior royals, has disclosed how the late Queen was delighted with Prince Harry's choice of partner in Meghan Markle, and had high hopes for what she could bring to the table.
However, following accusations of bullying against Meghan, the Queen was worried about the knock-on effect on her grandson.
Brandreth wrote in his book "Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait", that Queen Elizabeth let slip if Harry wasn't "perhaps a little over-in-love".
Meghan Markle 'ready to make peace with Princess Kate' as popularity plummets
Meghan Markle is ready to "make peace" with Princess Kate following a dip in her popularity, an insider has claimed.
The pair have experienced a strained relastionship for years and it was alleged that Meghan had made Kate cry in a row over bridesmaids' dresses before her 2018 wedding.
It was later clarified that it was in Meghan who had been crying and Kate sent flowers to apologise, but it appears they did little to foster their friendship.
Now, a source told In Touch magazine that Meghan is ready for a reconciliation with Kate, saying: "She wants to make peace with Kate. She doesn’t want any bad blood between them.
"Meghan’s friends say she regrets how things went down and she never meant any harm to Kate. Though she must realise she could’ve done things differently. Meghan’s been going out of her way to show concern for Kate in this difficult time."
Meghan Markle leaves critics unimpressed as she wraps up filming for Netflix cooking show
Meghan Markle's new cooking show for Netflix has left people extremely unimpressed after she reportedly finished filming it very recently.
The show is aimed at "celebrating the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining and friendship".
Sky News Australia presenter Rita Panahi is not looking forward to its launch, brutally saying that it "sounds bloody awful".
She said: "Meghan Markle has just wrapped up filming on a new cooking and home show for Netflix, a show which has yet to receive a formal title or air date, as part of the Sussexes $100m deal and was filmed at a property near their Montecito mansion in Los Angeles.
"It's apparently going to focus on the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship and I've gotta say, it sounds bloody awful."
Meghan Markle's turmoil laid bare by expert as 'life not going as planned'
Meghan Markle is growing "increasingly concerned" that her life is "not going in the direction she had planned", a royal expert has claimed.
Since stepping down as a senior working member of the Royal Family in 2020, Meghan has tried her hand at a number of projects with varying degrees of success.
One royal expert said this is driving a wedge between her and Prince Harry because she has not been able to grasp the life she desperately wants.
Royal author, Tom Quinn, told the Mirror: "There is a growing rift between Harry and Meghan caused by Meghan’s increasing concern that her life is not going in the direction she had planned.
"She loves media attention and hates the fact that surveys suggest she and Harry are no longer of much interest to the American public."
Meghan Markle caught in major 'snub' after secret change on Archie's birth certificate
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made one key move regarding Prince Archie's birth certificate that has been seen as a "snub" to Prince William and Princess Kate.
Meghan changed Archie's birth certificate just days after his birth was officially registered.
According to the Sun, the birth certificate was altered to show his mother as "Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex" instead of the original "Rachel Meghan".
The outlet at the time reported that this was a "snub" to Prince William and Princess Kate, who used Kate's name on their children's certificates.
It also suggested the intention was to place Meghan on an equal footing with Prince Harry's mother Princess Diana, who would always use "Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales".
The 'real reason' Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie became distant
The real reason Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie have drifted apart over the years has been revealed by an insider.
A source told Express.co.uk that the reason is after their mother Sarah Ferguson appeared to cut ties with Meghan Meghan after she denied knowing or meeting her.
Meghan claimed Fergie, as she is known to friends and family, "taught her how to curtsey" to the late Queen, but the Duchess of York told The Telegraph: "I don’t really know Meghan. I haven’t really met her."
However, the source told the Express: "They were neighbours. Royal Lodge is basically next door to Frogmore and the Yorks and Sussexes met quite often.
"Both Harry and Meghan were quite surprised by Sarah's comments and couldn't understand why she would distance herself like that. It has caused a bit of distance between the families.
"There's still a friendship there but it's not like the close family bond they had before Harry moved to America."
Meghan Markle tipped for major move as Royal Family prepare for summer break
Meghan Markle could likely launch her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard this summer as a PR expert reveals the latest product tipped to be sold under its name.
The latest rumours regarding her next and first product to be sold under ARO's name - rosé wine - sparked hope of a possible estimate of when it's bound to hit the shelves.
Renae Smith, founder and director of Atticism, told Express.co.uk: "The extended teaser campaign may have been too lengthy, as maintaining audience interest beyond six to eight weeks can be challenging.
"Rosé is typically associated with summer, making it the ideal season for launch to capture seasonal demand."
The PR specialist added that if Meghan doesn't launch her wine during the summer, the next best period to do so would be around the Christmas holidays.
She explained: "If the summer window is missed (which I strongly doubt), a holiday launch could also be effective if we again consider the demographic (less interested in wine, more in the brand), leveraging the festive season for gift-giving and social gatherings. Timing the launch to align with these peak periods is crucial."
Prince Harry 'stunned' as backlash against award nomination sees mum brand him 'divisive'
Prince Harry has reportedly been left "stunned" by the backlash over his nomination for the ESPY's Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Tillman was a professional NFL player who enlisted in the army following the events of 9/11 and was killed in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan.
The award in his name will be given to Prince Harry, unless he turns it down, for his efforts with the Invictus Games.
Recently, Tillman's mother Mary expressed her dismay to the Daily Mail, stating: "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. There are recipients that are far more fitting.
"There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised."
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams also weighed in with his views to The Sun, remarking: "It's a very, very sad situation, and I think this is one of the reasons Mary Tillman, the mother of Pat, believes that Harry isn't fit, and that is a wasted opportunity. In my opinion, I think it's been a tragedy all round."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to take Archie and Lilibet to Invictus Games ceremony
Prince Harry and Meghan could bring their two children to the Invictus Games next year, an insider has claimed.
A source said the couple are set to take Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the games in order to promote a family-friendly image.
The source said: "Harry and Meghan are planning to take Archie and Lilibet to help promote a new 'family-friendly' Invictus Games.
"The Sussexes have been very involved with the organisational elements of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler events and it was very much their idea to make this a family-friendly games so that those taking part can bring their children along.
"As both the founder and patron of the Invictus Games and Invictus Games Foundation, Harry is very keen to lead by example and bring his family along.
"A patronage will one day be passed to Archie so the foundation can be kept within the family. Harry is adamant that the Invictus Games will remain a Sussex initiative."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'drifting apart' from Princess Eugenie and Beatrice
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle once had an extremely close bond with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, but have now drifted apart, an insider has claimed.Following several public spats between the Sussexes and other members of the Royal Family, and the fact that Harry and Meghan have been unable to visit England for private visits due to security concerns, the younger royals are no longer as close.
A source said: "Beatrice and Eugenie have firmly pledged their allegiance to the Royal Family. They haven't communicated with the Sussexes for quite a while now. They are nowhere near as close as they once were."
Prince Harry to pass Invictus Games to Prince Archie so it remains Sussex initiative
Prince Harry is keen for the legacy of the Invictus Games to be passed on to his son, Prince Archie, it has been claimed.Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Express, a source revealed: "A patronage will one day be passed to Archie so the foundation can be kept within the family. Harry is adamant that the Invictus Games will remain a Sussex initiative."As both the founder and patron of the Invictus Games and Invictus Games Foundation, Harry is very keen to lead by example and bring his family along."
This comes as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to take their children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, to a "family-focused" Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 opening ceremony in February next year.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Canada trip could lead to Commonwealth crisis
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Canada for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler in February 2025 could lead to a Commonwealth crisis, an insider has claimed.
A source said the couple's past comments about their concerns for the association of 56 member states has triggered a number of discussions inside Palace walls about how best to handle their link to Canada.
They said: "Harry and Meghan haven’t exactly been very supportive in the past. This trip has been flagged as of great importance over fears that any negative sentiments made about the union during their visit could jeopardise the Commonwealth.
"It’s even been discussed that it might be beneficial to get Harry and Meghan back on side in case there are any incidents that occur while they are promoting the Invictus Games."
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