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The long-awaited launch of the Duchess of Sussex's new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard was meant to cement her status as a successful entrepreneur and showcase her business acumen beyond the royal family. However, the unveiling has instead been overshadowed by a surprising move from an unlikely source - King Charles III himself.
In a bid to establish her own commercial empire independent of the monarchy, Megan unveiled American Riviera Orchard last month. The brand promised to offer a range of premium food and home products, starting with a limited edition strawberry jam. Playing to her reputation as a lover of finer things, Megan reportedly envisioned the jam being sold at the exorbitant price of up to £200 per jar.
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However, the launch was met with more ridicule than praise as the public struggled to understand the rationale behind the extreme pricing. Additionally, there was very little actual product available for purchase when the brand debuted. "When you launch a lifestyle brand, one would assume you'd actually have something to sell," remarked one royal commentator.
But Megan took a different approach, believing that her celebrity status alone would be enough to drive interest in the brand. The launch was widely criticized as little more than a superficial publicity stunt, with sceptics questioning the substance and long-term viability of Megan's ambitious new venture.
Just as American Riviera Orchard was struggling to gain traction and define itself in the competitive marketplace, King Charles made a surprising move that has left Megan and her supporters stunned. In a bold challenge to Megan's brand, the new monarch - known for his own portfolio of entrepreneurial ventures - decided to launch a limited edition line of organic products under his Duchy Originals brand.
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By directly competing with American Riviera Orchard so soon after its launch, the timing of King Charles' move has been interpreted by many observers as a calculated attempt to undermine Megan's efforts and steal her spotlight. According to sources close to the Duchess, she is furious that the King has essentially sabotaged her brand's momentum in its infancy.
Megan had hoped to leverage her celebrity into a successful new career as an entrepreneur outside the constraints of the royal family. But now she finds herself facing unexpected and stiff competition from the very institution she and Prince Harry have distanced themselves from. The irony of the situation is not lost on royal watchers.
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Adding insult to injury, the public response to King Charles' Duchy Originals products has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Customers have praised the brand's commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. In contrast, American Riviera Orchard continues to be met with suspicion and mockery on social media, with some users labeling it as a "flop in the making."
"It's a classic example of the royal family subtly outmaneuvering Megan at her own game," said royal commentator Andrew Welch. "King Charles has efficiently stolen her thunder and undercut her brand's momentum, all while bolstering his own image. The Duchess is not used to facing this kind of calculated opposition."
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Despite the setback, those close to Megan say she remains unwaveringly determined and is exploring options to regain control of the narrative. She is actively seeking endorsements from her royal connections like Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, hoping a stamp of approval from the wider Windsor family might help validate her brand.
However, securing such endorsements will likely prove an uphill battle given the ongoing family tensions. Many question whether the princesses would want to risk further straining relations by publicly supporting Megan's projects. Some have also speculated whether King Charles' move was at least implicitly endorsed by other senior royals.
Meanwhile, American Riviera Orchard is still lacking in substance and sales over a month after its launch. Megan has yet to unveil any additional products beyond the initial jam offering. Questions persist over whether celebrity alone can sustain the brand long-term without a clear strategy or competitive advantages in the congested luxury food space.
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With a new slimmed-down monarchy focused on serving the British people, it seems King Charles aimed to assert that sustainability and community are the values that will define success - not just celebrity endorsements. Only time will tell if Megan can maneuver past this royal roadblock or if her lifestyle brand risks becoming merely a footnote in the wider narrative of her post-royal career. Either way, the surprise move has demonstrated that even outside the family fold, Megan will continue facing challenges from the institution she sought to leave behind.
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