As Kensington Palace struggles to contain the fallout from recent controversies, including groundless speculation surrounding Kate Middleton and resurfaced rumors of Prince William’s alleged affair, another royal couple finds themselves on steadier ground. Just weeks ago, Prince Harry’s rushed visit to the UK and his strained relations with Queen Camilla dominated headlines. However, the spotlight has shifted, with Meghan Markle making a grand return to Instagram to unveil her latest venture, American Riviera Orchard.
Markle’s foray into the world of online retail has already garnered significant attention, amassing over 400K followers on Instagram. Documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office hint at a diverse array of offerings, ranging from cookbooks and tableware to party paraphernalia and home decor items. This venture marks a return to Markle’s roots in lifestyle branding, reminiscent of her former blog, The Tig, which she shuttered in 2017.
Amid ongoing speculation about the future of the Sussexes’ professional endeavors, their joint Netflix deal under the Archewell banner has faced setbacks, with projects like Markle’s children’s show Pearl being dropped. Similarly, the couple’s Spotify partnership faltered due to perceived failures to meet productivity benchmarks. Nonetheless, Markle’s podcast deal with Lemonada Media signals a continued commitment to exploring new avenues of creative expression.
Meanwhile, the royal drama escalates as Prince William and Prince Harry, reunited (albeit barely) at the Diana Legacy Awards ceremony in London, pay tribute to their mother separately. While William physically attends the event, Harry joins via Zoom from his Montecito mansion, highlighting the ongoing strain in their relationship. Far from bridging the gap between them, distance seems to exacerbate tensions, particularly with Markle’s business launch coinciding with the event.
The timing of Markle’s return to the spotlight has not gone unnoticed, with some viewing it as a deliberate attempt to overshadow Prince William’s public appearance. As the royal rumor mill continues to churn, the dynamics within the royal family remain complex and fraught with tension. Whether Markle’s new venture will further strain relations or serve as a catalyst for reconciliation remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the drama surrounding the Sussexes shows no signs of abating.
