One notable point of contention is the name of Meghan's Instagram account, which shares similarities with several existing brands, including American Riviera Bank located in Santa Barbara and Montecito. Critics argue that this choice appears to be directly inspired by these established brands. Additionally, the name "Orchard" seems to be borrowed from High Grove Orchard, a charity brand sponsored by the monarchy. However, the fundraising efforts associated with High Grove Orchard have not gained much traction.
Despite the potential financial security provided by Harry's great-grandmother's inheritance, Meghan's new venture has raised doubts about its longevity. Critics predict that American Riviera Orchard will fade into obscurity and be forgotten within a year. Even currently, many people struggle to recall the name of Meghan's previous jam company.
Victoria Jackson, who is rumored to be friends with Meghan, chose not to invest in the brand through her successful business or her husband's prominent direct marketing company. This decision has been interpreted as an indication of Victoria's strained relationship with Meghan. While Victoria may hold negative sentiments towards Meghan, her amiable nature prevents her from openly expressing her true feelings or severing ties completely.
Regarding Meghan's Instagram account, Emma Lloyd, the founder of big little LDN, highlighted two significant errors in the brand's launch. Initially, the account's settings allowed anyone to tag the handle, resulting in an influx of spam and strange posts. Emma also pointed out that American Riviera Orchard's teaser on Instagram relied on a dated method of multiple images with minimal content in each, which would eventually appear disjointed and unappealing as more content was posted.
Critics have advised Meghan to include attention-grabbing products on her site to generate public interest. Some even suggest that Prince Harry's revelation about his past frostbite incident could serve as inspiration. Meghan's website, characterized by grainy videos and a lack of products, has been criticized for its low quality and trashy aesthetic, reminiscent of '90s horror movies.
As Meghan Markle's new Instagram business faces allegations of plagiarism and receives feedback on its launch strategy, the dynamics of her friendship with Victoria Jackson appear to be cooling. The challenges and criticisms surrounding the venture highlight the importance of originality, engaging content, and strategic marketing in a competitive online landscape.
