Meghan Markle’s Instagram story, dated March 2024 | Source: Instagram/AmericaRiveraOrchid
“Where’s the privacy they so much long for? What about stepping down from royal duties and not going to use the titles,” one person wrote. “They don’t know how to do anything if it’s not related with their titles.”
“Crying everywhere about how terrible social media [is] & how people abuse her, opens a new Instagram to exploit the title & make money from it,” another echoed.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, dated March 2024 | Source: Instagram/AmericaRiveraOrchid
Other critics argued, “Not worth a dime from me,” “I see you’re still using that title… the one you ran away from!!!! What a joke,” and “So low !! [sic] Still using the Royal family.”
Conversely, a significant portion of the online community came to Meghan’s defense, underscoring the harshness of the critiques and expressing support for her new venture.
Meghan Markle during the Wes Gordon runway show during MADE Fashion Week Fall 2015 at Milk Studios on February 13, 2015 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Supportive comments include: “Wow these comments are meeeeean. What happened to ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’ [sic]???” and “You are just a normal mom who wanted her privacy!!” Others also expressed their admiration for Meghan, writing, “I love this, i love Meghan [sic]” and “Just keeps winning!!”
Meghan’s foray into lifestyle branding with American Riviera Orchard represents a return to her roots, reminiscent of her pre-royal days when she ran the lifestyle blog “The Tig.”
Meghan Markle at ‘Feeding Birkenhead’ citizen’s supermarket and community café, on January 14, 2019, in Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. | Source: Getty Images
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during a cooking demonstration at the Villa des Ambassadors on February 25, 2019, in Rabat, Morocco. | Source: Getty Images
The brand aims to encapsulate her interests in home, garden, food, and lifestyle, with various products including jellies, jams, spreads, tableware, and even cookbooks.
American Riviera Orchard already has its website available to the public. However, it only shows the brand’s logo and a waitlist sign-up. The logo, featuring calligraphy that harks back to Meghan’s side hustle of doing calligraphy for weddings, adds a personal touch to the brand, emphasizing her involvement and personal style.
Meghan Markle during her visit to the Royal Variety Charity’s residential nursing and care home, Brinsworth House in Twickenham, south west London on December 18, 2018. | Source: Getty Images
Meghan Markle talks to guests during an event at Kensington Palace on September 20, 2018 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Meghan Markle at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, north-west England on September 5, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Meghan collaborated with Article to create the brand’s website design, the same group that made her website with Prince Harry.
This further highlights her commitment to aesthetics and functionality, with Meghan herself noting, “They’re not just designers; they are collaborators who elevate your ideas into visual identities. They’re a very special company. Plus they’re Canadian, so I’m a fan.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards | Source: Getty images
This return to social media and the launch of her lifestyle brand comes after Meghan shared her experiences of staying away from the internet due to the negativity she encountered.
Before her Instagram return, Meghan Markle took a ski vacation with her closest friends. She recently enjoyed a delightful ski vacation with close friends, briefly escaping the constant gaze of the public for a relaxing retreat in the snow. She was accompanied by Kelly McKee Zajfen and Heather Dorak, who did not hesitate to share glimpses of their joyous escapade on Instagram.
Meghan Markle, Heather Dorak and Kelly McKee Zajfen posing for a picture posted on March 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/_heartmom_
Amidst their cozy and warm skiing attire which included puffer jackets, beanies, and gloves, Meghan stood alongside Kelly and Heather, radiating happiness in a rare photo that beautifully captured their friendship. Additional pictures posted by Kelly and Heather showed not just the trio but also their spouses and children, who were all immersed in the joy of the snowy trip.