Meghan Markle's Jam Takes Buckingham Palace by Storm

Buckingham Palace Shop Promotes Jam After Meghan Markle Brand Launches

Meghan Markle Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Ms. Foundation for Women

Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard brand may be gaining popularity in the jam world in the United States, but the official Buckingham Palace gift shop wants to remind everyone that their preserves are a classic favorite across the pond.

In a recent Instagram post on Wednesday, April 24th, the store highlighted their Strawberry Preserve made with only the finest berries. They recommended enjoying it in various ways such as on a scone with cream tea, on a crumpet, with a croissant, or simply spread on toast.

The brand has also shared a video of someone spreading the jam on a scone. The Buckingham Palace Strawberry Preserve is available for purchase at the castle's gift shop, both in-person and online, and is made in the U.K. using only the finest soft fruit. According to the website, this spread is delicious on toast, a perfect accompaniment with scones during afternoon tea, or great inside a Victoria sponge cake. In addition to this, the Palace offers marmalade and honey preserves, along with other options at Scotland's Palace of Holyroodhouse and England's Windsor Castle.

Many social media users view the gift shop's post as a subtle jab at Meghan, who, at the age of 42, stepped down as a senior working royal in 2020 with her husband, Prince Harry. After leaving England and settling in California, Meghan launched her own lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard.

American Riviera Orchard's Instagram page mentions that the company was founded by Meghan. In March, it was confirmed that the duchess filed trademarks to sell cutlery, cookbooks, and jarred foods under the brand's name. The patents have been approved.

The first product from American Riviera Orchard is jam. Meghan has sent samples of the jam to her famous friends, such as Abigail Spencer, Mindy Kaling, Chrissy Teigen, and fashion designer Tracy Robbins. Each friend received one of the 50 samples.

Spencer, a former Suits star, expressed his love for the jam on Instagram. He said, "This jam is my jam," and added that it gives a delicious taste of what's to come. He also shared his love for someone named M on April 21.

The American Riviera Orchard, Meghan's upcoming project, does not have a release date yet. According to a source, the project will reflect Meghan's passions and personality, being described as "organic" and true to who she is.

The insider mentioned that Meghan will not release a lot of products all at once. Instead, she will focus on introducing more categories related to food and entertaining. This aligns with her upcoming Netflix show, where she will be showcasing her cooking and gardening skills.

Editor's P/S:

The friendly rivalry between Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard brand and Buckingham Palace's classic preserves reflects the ongoing public fascination with the former royal's transition to a new chapter in her life. While the Palace's post can be interpreted as a playful reminder of their enduring popularity, it also highlights the growing influence of Meghan's entrepreneurial endeavors.

As Meghan ventures into the world of lifestyle branding, her focus on organic and authentic products aligns with her personal values and aligns with the rise of consumer demand for sustainable and ethical choices. Her upcoming Netflix show and the expansion of her American Riviera Orchard brand suggest that she is building a multi-faceted empire that showcases her passions and reflects her commitment to making a positive impact.