Meghan Markle recently made headlines by personally gifting her friends with jars of strawberry jam, a move aimed at promoting her upcoming business venture, American Riviera Orchard.
The Markos, ahead of the official launch this spring, sent out limited-edition jars to select individuals, including fashion designer Tracy Robbins and Argentine socialite Delfina Blackare.
The recipients took to Instagram to share their gifts, noting the homemade look of the jars adorned with a stylish crest and a seemingly handwritten brand name, as pointed out by PR expert Nikkied.
This gesture from Meghan comes amidst a growing trend of celebrities venturing into the food industry, with notable figures like Julianne Moore, Will Ferrell, and LeBron James offering their own products such as honey from their gardens under the Flamingo Estate brand, priced at up to $250 per jar.
Drawing inspiration from her father-in-law, King Charles III, who has been selling products like jam from the Duchy of Cornwall estate since the 1990s, Meghan appears to be following suit with her foray into the jam market.
While Meghan reportedly distributed 50 jars of jam, only a couple of individuals have actively promoted the product so far.
The decision to number the jars has sparked speculation about the level of support Meghan truly has, as evident from the limited number of public acknowledgments on Instagram.
With influencers like Delina boasting 560,000 followers and Tracy with 7,000, some view them more as affluent socialites than impactful trendsetters, agreeing to post fleeting Instagram stories as part of a promotional arrangement.
Critics have raised eyebrows at the authenticity of Meghan’s jam-making narrative, suggesting that the images shared by Tracy and Delina featuring strawberries in the background appear staged and part of a carefully crafted PR strategy.
Questions have also been raised about the sourcing of the product, with claims that the jam may not be as artisanal as portrayed, but rather a private label wholesale offering with Meghan’s branding affixed.
Moreover, concerns have emerged regarding the quality of the product, as fans noticed labels peeling off the glass jars of the promotional jams sent out by Meghan.
Social media users have voiced their disappointment over what they perceive as subpar labeling, with comments highlighting the perceived lack of attention to detail and quality control in the production process.
Some have even mocked the limited edition concept, questioning the value of a product that relies heavily on branding rather than genuine craftsmanship.
As the buzz around Meghan’s strawberry jam venture continues to stir debate and skepticism, it remains to be seen how the public will perceive her entry into the food market.
While some view it as a savvy branding move leveraging her royal status, others remain critical of what they perceive as a superficial attempt to cash in on a trend without adding substantial value through originality or innovation.
As the saga unfolds, observers are left wondering whether Meghan’s jam empire will stand the test of time or fade into obscurity as just another celebrity-backed product line.