Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard 'jam' sparks 'royal rivalry' with King Charles

Meghan Markle's new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, may face stiff competition from an unexpected source - her father-in-law, King Charles. The former Suits actress announced the launch of her brand on March 14 and has since gained a significant online following.

She recently 'soft launched' her debut product, homemade strawberry jam, which she sent to celebrity friends and influencers. However, if Meghan decides to release her jam more widely, she could find herself competing with King Charles' own Organic Strawberry Preserve from Highgrove.

The monarch's jam is sold under the Highgrove brand, which he established in 1990 to promote organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices. Over the years, the brand has expanded to include a range of popular organic food products, including jams, biscuits, beverages, and dairy items.

The ingredients are often sourced from Highgrove, King Charles' own private estate in Gloucestershire. The products from Highgrove, including the strawberry jam, also retail via Waitrose and help to raise funds for charity, which is a stark contrast to Meghan's venture which has no charity or fundraising links, reports the Mirror.

Since Meghan's launch, Charles' jam has sold out widely with some social media users spotting the impact of American Riviera orchard on Charles' sales. One person wrote on Twitter /X: "Wow it took Meghan selling jam for the King's 30-year-old jam to sell out... That's the Meghan effect."

Another added: "What will they do when Meghan Markle makes a full course meal? It's just JAM! ".

Meghan has also been slammed for the timing of her new brand launch, as members of the Royal family continue their ongoing cancer treatment. Royal commentator and Meghan's former friend Lizzie Cundy has now slammed the pair for their pursuits at a time when the Royal Family is in the midst of a crisis.

She has accused the Duchess of Sussex of "trying to relaunch herself as a Gwyneth Paltrow type", and claimed she is "not reading the room". Speaking to GBN America, she expressed: "They've got these new Netflix shows about making jam and cookery and gardening, and there Harry's about polo playing, it's not really relatable.

"I think it's pretty insensitive when Catherine's going through what she's going through and the King is going through his cancer issues too, it's really insensitive, to be honest." Adding, "they never read the room do they? They're so into themselves they can't see the wood for the trees."