Meghan Markleis back on Instagram with a surprise new project.
On Thursday, anew websiteandInstagram pagefor what appears to be a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard went live. The bio for the Instagram page simply reads, “By Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Established 2024.”
American Riviera Orchard’s name seems to be a nod to Santa Barbara, the California town where Meghan lives withPrince Harryand their two children, 4-year-old sonPrince Archieand 2-year-old daughterPrincess Lilibet. According toTravel & Leisure, Santa Barbara has been known as the “American Riviera” for more than 100 years “because of its temperate climate and lush landscapes, as well as its robust food and wine culture.”
Meghan Markle appears in a video for American Riviera Orchard on Instagram posted on March 14, 2024.American Riviera Orchard/Instagram
American Riviera Orchard/Instagram
The logo also includes Montecito, the name of the neighborhood where they reside.
Atrademark application, currently awaiting examination, for American Riviera Orchard reveals the brand plans to sell tableware, drinkware including decanters, kitchen linens and edible treats such as jellies, jams, marmalade and spreads. The trademark application is also seeking approval for cookbooks.
Meghan Markle in 2023.Robin L Marshall/FilmMagic
Robin L Marshall/FilmMagic
This marks Meghan or Prince Harry’s first time publicly being on social media since 2020 when the couple made their last update to their @SussexRoyal Instagram page after stepping back as working members of the royal family.
Meghanshut down her personal social media profiles(including her Instagram page with 3 million followers) andThe Tigblog after getting engaged to Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard logo, revealed on March 14, 2024.American Riviera Orchard
American Riviera Orchard
After Meghan and Prince Harry got married in May 2018, news about their royal work appeared on the @KensingtonRoyal accounts alongside updates aboutPrince WilliamandKate Middleton. The following year, the couple launched a separate Instagram page, @SussexRoyal, as part of the plan toestablish a separate officefrom William and Kate.
Meghan later toldNew Yorkmagazine’sThe Cutin a 2022interviewthat the royals' social media came with strict rules.
In the same interview, Meghan said, “Do you want to know a secret? I’m getting back…on Instagram.” Later in the interview, she “would relay she was no longer sure she would actually return to Instagram.”
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It was a change in perspective from previous years when Meghan said she was purposely staying away from social media.
“For my own self-preservation, I have not been on social media for a very long time,” she said at theFortuneMost Powerful Women Next Gen Summitin 2020. “I made a personal choice to not have any account, so I don’t know what’s out there, and in many ways, that’s helpful for me.”
Meghan Markle joins SXSW panel on March 8, 2024.SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty
SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty
Just last week, Meghan saidshe keeps her “distance” from social media"right now, just for my own well-being" during apanel discussion at the SXSW Conference in Austin, Texas.
In February, Meghan and Prince Harryquietly launched a new website, Sussex.com. The web address encompasses the latest news about the couple, bios for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as well as links to their Archewell Foundation organization and Archewell Productions hub.
source: people.com
