3 weeks ago
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File photo: Meghan Markle (Picture credit: ANI)
Meghan Markle, the
Duchess of Sussex
, has taken a bold step in the launch of her lifestyle brand, ‘
American Riviera Orchard
’, by appointing herself as CEO after months of searching for a suitable candidate.
Markle, 43, reportedly struggled to find a qualified executive for the role, a challenge that was compounded by ongoing
trademark issues
and negotiations with Netflix over a potential partnership for the brand.
The lifestyle venture, announced in March, aims to focus on home, garden, food, and lifestyle wares, though no official release date or detailed
product line
has been revealed yet.
According to the Daily Mail, Markle's decision to take on the CEO role herself followed a prolonged search that did not yield satisfactory results. A source told columnist Richard Eden, "She is the CEO of American Riviera Orchard."
The outlet also noted that a partnership with Netflix could significantly shape the brand’s operations, with the streaming giant potentially appointing its own CEO if an agreement is reached.
According to The Mirror, Markle’s behind-the-scenes efforts to finalise the brand and resolve trademark disputes signal a planned public comeback in 2025, with the launch of both her lifestyle brand and Netflix projects expected early in the year.
Markle’s path to launching American Riviera Orchard has been fraught with difficulties. As reported by The Express, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejected the brand’s trademark application in September, citing the inclusion of a geographical location in its name and describing its logo as overly intricate.
Markle’s team has since made adjustments, but a further protest from the rival lifestyle brand Harry & David in October, claiming similarity to their "Royal Riviera" product line, has caused additional delays.
According to the New York Post, Markle recently requested a three-month extension from the USPTO to secure the brand’s trademark, a move necessary to avoid restarting the application process from scratch.
These administrative hurdles, paired with Markle’s departure from public view over the last few months, have contributed to the delayed rollout of the brand’s products, which are expected to include jams, spreads, cutlery, and recipe books.
Despite these setbacks, Markle has reportedly been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure her lifestyle brand’s success. Sources close to the Duchess, as cited by Page Six, stated, "She’s been in the background working on her
entrepreneurial efforts
. Both the Netflix project and her brand will come out within the same timeline in the New Year."
Markle is reportedly negotiating a partnership with Netflix that could integrate products as spin-offs from her show, potentially transforming the brand into a unique media-commerce hybrid.
A rocky staffing history
Markle’s decision to appoint herself as CEO follows a tumultuous history with
staff turnover
.
As per the New York Post, her former chief of staff, Josh Kettler, resigned after just three months on the job, becoming the 18th staffer to leave the Sussexes’ employ over the last four years.
Kettler’s resignation in August, a day before accompanying the couple on a trip to Colombia, marked the challenges Markle and Prince Harry have faced in building a stable team to execute their professional ventures.
