Reasons Behind Meghan Markle’s New Company’s Major Launch Delay

Meghan Markle has been generating buzz for several months about her upcoming brand, American Riviera Orchard. Yet, despite the anticipation, the public still awaits its official launch. According to The Daily Mail, some legal complications have been causing delays. Insiders revealed to PEOPLE that while these issues are legitimate, they assure fans that American Riviera Orchard will finally be available later this year.

Markle has expressed her excitement on Instagram, promoting products like fruit spreads and snacks, and hinting at more to come. However, The Daily Mail reported a “setback” from the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office, citing “irregularities” in the filings, such as “incorrect classification of yoga blankets, picnic baskets, and recipe books.” PEOPLE’s source confirmed this setback but mentioned it’s a common issue for new brands, particularly those aiming for international markets with varying standards.

The source added that the issues have now been settled between American Riviera Orchard and the regulators. The company has corrected its filings and paid the necessary fees, requiring no further action. The plan is to launch the brand later in 2024, which aligns with the increasing social media promotion. Markle faced some criticism last month when Prince Harry’s friend, Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras, posted about the brand on a day when Kate Middleton attended Wimbledon, leading some to believe Markle was attempting to overshadow her sister-in-law.

Additionally, Markle has sent samples and products to various celebrities, resulting in social media posts that help build excitement for the brand. These have been gifts rather than coordinated advertisements, and it seems unlikely Markle instructed Figueras to post or specifically timed his post. Other stars like Mindy Kaling, Chrissy Teigen, and Kris Jenner have also shared photos of American Riviera Orchard products.

Markle hopes to expand the brand’s offerings beyond tableware, cookbooks, and jarred foods to include décor, gardening gear, and even pet accessories. She also plans to venture into health and wellness with cosmetics and yoga equipment, although the full scope of the brand remains unclear.

There are speculations linking American Riviera Orchard to Markle’s upcoming unscripted show for Netflix. Reports note that although the next Netflix original series wrapped filming earlier this year, it still lacks a release date. Sources close to the production informed The Daily Beast that the show’s launch is contractually tied to the brand’s launch, leading to delays due to the trademark issues. The new show will reportedly delve into various aspects of homemaking and hosting, including cooking, gardening, and entertaining.

Markle has not publicly commented on the reports about American Riviera Orchard or her new unscripted series. She currently has three shows streaming on Netflix: Harry & Meghan, Live to Lead, and Heart of Invictus.