By Nacho Figueras, a professional polo player and close friend of Prince Harry, has become the latest high-profile figure to showcase PR gifts sent by Meghan Markle’s brand, American Riviera Orchard. Figueras shared images of a new batch of raspberry jam and dog biscuits, thought to be from the Duchess’ company, via his Instagram Stories.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, soft-launched her fledgling lifestyle brand earlier this year and is believed to have sent PR packages to around 50 recipients. The latest batch of jam, a new raspberry flavor, was presented to Figueras in a jar bearing the label “2 of 2.” Additionally, the package included a large glass jar of dog biscuits, a new addition to American Riviera Orchard’s product line-up, which Figueras photographed next to his dog, Nina Iggy.
Figueras’ post coincided with the Trooping the Colour event in London, marking the second year that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited to the annual celebration of the reigning monarch’s birthday. This follows claims that Prince Harry turned down an invitation from King Charles III to stay at a royal residence during his recent whirlwind visit to London due to security concerns.
Meghan and Harry first attended Trooping the Colour together in 2018, one month after their royal wedding in Windsor, and appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony again in 2019. However, the event was scaled down in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2022, the Duke and Duchess traveled to the UK to attend the special event marking the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee but did not join the Royal Family on the balcony.
Figueras is among several recipients of Meghan’s jam, including celebrity pilates instructor Heather Dorak, who became the tenth person to be identified as one of Meghan’s “jamfluencers.” Other friends who have posted about receiving the jam include Kelly McKee Zajfen, Abigail Spencer, Delfina Balquier, Kris Jenner, Garcelle Beauvais, Tracy Robbins, Mindy Kaling, Chrissy Teigen, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
The Duchess of Sussex continues to build momentum for her new business venture, with a full launch expected later this year. A trademark application filed in February shows that the company plans to offer downloadable and printed recipe books, tableware, textiles, jams, and marmalades.
However, the brand has faced some challenges, with an online seller using the same name as Meghan’s lifestyle brand to sell tongue-in-cheek adult coloring books, including one labeled “Working Class Royalty.” The site, known for selling anti-monarchy products, launched after the Duchess announced her own lifestyle brand.
As Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard continues to gain attention, both positive and negative, the public eagerly awaits the full launch of her lifestyle brand and the products it will offer.
