American Riviera Orchard

American Riviera Orchard is an American lifestyle brand created in 2024 by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex that focuses on preserves and homeware.

Creation
In September 2023, tabloid news site TMZ wrote Meghan was planning on founding a lifestyle brand. Meghan filed for the patent for American Riviera Orchard in March 2024, followed by a soft launch of the company on social media channels the same month. As of mid-July 2024, the patent application is still pending. The social media profiles included a link that sent social media users to the company's website, where they could sign up for the announcements waitlist. The New Zealand Herald said the creation of the brand likely coincides with Meghan's upcoming Netflix specials. In an op-ed for The Guardian, columnist Arwa Mahdawi said the brand is likely Meghan's attempt to try to come back from what Rolling Stone called a "flop era" for the couple in mid-2023, a period of stagnation in their careers.



The name American Riviera Orchard derives from a nickname for Santa Monica, California, where Meghan and her husband Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex reside.

UK domain name
In April 2024, an anonymous cybersquatter purchased the UK domain name for the brand and directed the URL to a JustGiving fundraiser for The Trussell Trust, a non-profit focusing on alleviating food insecurity. A message on the fundraiser voiced support for Catherine, Princess of Wales. The campaign had a goal of reaching £1,000 and far outpaced that by quickly raising over £8,300 by April 19. By April 29, the amount had grown to £21,000. The Trust told The Independent that they "...are grateful to people who put their time and energy into supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK. The charity is not connected with this website domain and have no knowledge of who set it up." Due to regulatory guidance in the UK, The Trussell Trust could not decline the donations.

Strawberry jam
After the company's soft launch in March 2024, Meghan sent bottles of strawberry jam (limited to 50 bottles overall) to some of her influencer friends who then posted the jam on their social media channels, including Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras; American actresses Tracee Ellis Ross, Abigail Spencer, Garcelle Beauvais, and Mindy Kaling; American media personality Kris Jenner; and American married couple signer John Legend and model Chrissy Teigen. After the release of the limited edition jam, sales of Meghan's father-in-law Charles III's unrelated strawberry jam increased substantially, which is sold through The Highgrove Shop and through Waitrose Duchy Organic at Waitrose supermarkets.

Other products
Along with strawberry jam, Meghan released announcements the brand would be working on raspberry jam, dog treats, and homeware items, including tableware and drinkware. By July 2024, no further announcements or products under the brand had been released. In late June 2024 Marie Claire speculated the next product will likely be a rosé wine.

Reception
Royal author Tom Quinn said the launch of the brand was greeted with intense scrutiny and "mockery" online, while Sky News Australia said the launch was "ridiculed".