The Duchess of Sussex has launched her new lifestyle brand with its first product – strawberry jam.
Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard firm sent out 50 jars to influencers around the world as part of the promotional effort with fashion designer Tracy Robbins and Argentine socialite Delfina Balquier among those receiving them.
Mrs Robbins, whose husband is Hollywood power player and boss of Paramount Brian Robbins, posted a picture of the product on her social media saying “breakfast, lunch and dinner just got a little sweeter”.
It comes a month after Meghan released the first details about her business with an online video showing her in the kitchen and arranging flowers.
A trademark application for the firm filed in the US stated it wants to sell recipe books, textiles, tableware as well as preserves and bathroom products.
It is the couple’s latest venture since they announced they were standing down from royal duties and left the UK to live in California with their children. Previous work included launching a podcast series with Spotify.
The streaming firm reportedly paid £15 million for the deal which was axed by mutual agreement after a dozen episodes.
It comes amid hopes of a thaw in royal relations following the revelations the King and the Princess of Wales are being treated for cancer.
Harry jetted back to the UK for a brief visit after the King’s illness was announced but did not meet his brother though the couple wished Kate “health and healing” and said they hoped she would be able to get better “privately and in peace”.
The couple caused controversy after dropping their royal duties in a blaze of publicity including an interview with Oprah Winfrey which included allegations of racism within the royal family and the subsequent publication of Harry’s memoir Spare which lifted the lid on life in the palace with Harry accusing his brother of physically attacking him in a row over Meghan.
Harry has also been fighting a legal battle over a change to the level of personal security he is given when he visits the UK.
He took legal action against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.
Ravec’s decision came as a result of a change in the duke’s “status” after he stopped being a “full-time working member of the royal family”, a judge was told.
In a judgment in February, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the duke’s case and concluded Ravec’s approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair.
Following the previous ruling, a spokesperson for the duke said he intended to challenge the judgment, adding Harry “hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal”.
On Monday, a judicial spokesperson said Harry has lost his initial bid toappeal against the decision.
