Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard is already being copied by dozens of fake accounts on Instagram
Instagram has witnessed a spike in the number of profiles mimicking the Duchess of Sussex’s new lifestyle brand: American Riviera Orchard.
Meghan, 42, announced her new business venture on Thursday at a glossy clip plus a few little hints of what the venture might entail, quickly gaining more than 339 thousand followers.
The surprise announcement was accompanied by significant speculation about what the company might be and what the name means.
But despite the lack of clarity, other Instagram users have quickly copied variations of Meghan’s new Instagram account, putting people at risk of scams once American Riviera Orchard is up and running.
In less than 24 hours, at least 15 users have created accounts under the title American Riviera Orchard – some of which already have more than 1,000 followers, indicating they may think it is Meghan’s.
Instagram has witnessed a spike in the number of users creating handles under variations of American Riviera Orchard (pictured) following the announcement of Meghan Markle’s new business venture
A majority of accounts using the name American Riviera Orchard also use Meghan’s logo.
The brand’s logo bears a striking resemblance to a royal coat of arms and appears to consist of the initials ‘A’ and ‘R’ – believed to stand for ‘American Riviera’.
The company’s name is written in what appears to be the Duchess’ near-perfect calligraphy.
Elsewhere, other stories openly claim to be the Duchess herself, listing their name as: ‘Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.’
While it’s unclear what the nature of Meghan’s new business is, if she sells products in the future, consumers could be at risk of purchasing through erroneous accounts.
It comes after the Duchess of Sussex confused fans with the name of her new lifestyle brand: American Riviera Orchard.
An insider told the Daily Mail that Meghan’s new company will be a “lifestyle and cooking brand” centered around her passions.
And while it seems likely that the brand will focus on lifestyle entertainment, the name – American Riviera Orchard – is still hotly contested online. However, the name has personal meaning for the Duchess.
Meghan’s new account quickly gained 300,000 followers, while some replica accounts have gained more than 1,000 followers. Seen in February 2024
Meghan Markle released the logo for her brand – American Riviera Orchard – via Instagram yesterday
Royal Watchers have branded the brand ‘word salad’, saying it is ‘not the snappiest name’.
Montecito, the area in California where Meghan and Prince Harry (39) live, is often called the American Riviera.
The Californian city is associated with the northern Mediterranean coast known as the Riviera due to its geography and climate.
While that is part of the name, the meaning behind “orchard” has yet to be revealed.
Despite the partial justification, fans remain baffled as to why Meghan would make American Riviera Orchard her brand name.
People went to X to express their confusion. One said: ‘ABC News: Meghan Markle launches American Riviera Orchard. What kind of word salad name is that?’
A second added: ‘I don’t understand the name American Riviera Orchard?’
“I wish Meghan the best of luck but American Riviera Orchard sounds like a dog name at Crufts,” said a third.
A fourth chimed in, writing: “American Riviera Orchard. Not the snappiest brand name in the world, right?’
Another asked, “She called it American Riviera Orchard? What the hell does that mean? Is she selling apples now?’
It is thought that American Riviera Orchard refers to the Californian town where Harry and Meghan live, Montecito
Users took to X to comment on the name American Riviera Orchard, and many were confused about its meaning
“I’ve been calling on Meghan to regain her influence for years, but she could have chosen a worse name than American Riviera Orchard,” said a sixth.
Another agreed, saying, “I’m sorry, but American Riviera Orchard is the clumsiest brand name I’ve heard in a long time. All nine syllables just roll off the tongue.”
The Duchess of Sussex’s new project is said to have been in the works for more than a year – and will feature ‘all the things that are close to her heart’.
The flash company coincides with the launch of a new cooking show with Meghan on Netflix, where she will make and sell her own products. It will lead to a book and blog in addition to her cooking shows.
It is understood that a trademark application has been filed for cutlery – knives, forks, spoons – cookbooks and electronic cookbooks, coffee, jam, jelly and butter.
It also extends to a physical store where crockery, mugs, jams, tablecloths and recipe books can be sold.
Meghan’s new project is said to have been in the works for more than a year – and includes ‘all the things that are close to her heart’
The brand will work as an extension of its former lifestyle blog The Tig, an insider told Page Six Style
In the new video, Meghan is seen knocking in a beautiful, rustic kitchen as a woman’s hands arrange pink and white flowers.
The announcement comes on the same evening as Prince Harry and Prince William will make a rare joint appearance at the Diana Legacy Award event at the Science Museum in London – but neither will be in the room at the same time, even virtually.
And it follows a difficult week for the Royals – after Princess Kate was forced to admit she edited a photo of her and her children that she released on Mother’s Day after the world’s top photo and news agencies – including PA – had ‘killed’ the image. claims it was digitally manipulated.
An insider told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s a lifestyle and cooking brand called American Riviera Orchard.
The video begins with a faded video of a woman arranging white and pink pastel flowers
It then fades away to reveal Meghan cooking in a beautiful kitchen, with copper pans hanging above her head as she waves
‘The intention is for the brand to coincide with the launch of a new cooking show for Netflix. Meghan will make and sell products such as jam.
‘And at some point there will be a book and a blog etc.’
The brand will focus on home, garden, food and general lifestyle items.
The plush video is accompanied by a series of nine cryptic Instagram posts, which alongside the name form the brand’s logo: ‘American Riviera Orchard Montecito’.
Comments on the Instagram posts have been disabled, and the page links to a new website of the same name where people can enter their email address and “get on the waitlist.”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam told MailOnline: ‘The Sussexes, in my opinion, do nothing by accident and timing is often absolutely crucial. We found that out in a way this weekend and we’ve just been reminded that there may be more shots in their locker than some of us thought. And it’s not an accident.
‘For years they have been unpredictable, but in one respect they have been predictable, and that is the impeccable timing of when they believe it is useful to release information. They don’t do anything by accident.’
The announcement comes just hours before William is expected to personally deliver a speech to mark the 25th anniversary of the Diana Legacy Award and present awards to 20 recipients this evening. The Prince of Wales will appear alone at the awards ceremony as his wife Kate is still recovering from abdominal surgery.
Harry, who lives in California, will then take part in a video call with the winners, according to reports. However, his involvement will only take place after his brother leaves the ceremony.