Trouble Brewing as Meghan Markle’s New Brand Faces Challenges Amid ‘Bullying’ Claims
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is once again at the center of controversy. This time, the storm clouds are gathering over her latest venture, a lifestyle brand named American Riviera Orchard, known for its quaint jars of jam among other offerings. However, persistent ‘bullying’ allegations could potentially smear the brand’s reputation.
At 42, Meghan’s transition from royal duties to brand entrepreneurship hasn’t been smooth. Recent remarks by Hilary Fordwich, a business development consultant speaking to Fox News Digital, underscore the potential impact of these allegations on Meghan’s brand. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Fordwich stated, adding, “There have been too many examples of the ‘Sussex Survivors Club’ for the allegations not to be true … In contrast, not even one such report has ever been raised regarding Kate Middleton.”
The term ‘Sussex Survivors Club’ was coined following testimonies from former palace aides, including Samantha Cohen, who in an interview with the Australian Herald Sun confirmed she was among 10 staffers who faced inquiries about Markle’s alleged ‘bullying’ during her time in the palace. Cohen, a former aide to Queen Elizabeth, was assigned the task of acclimating Markle to royal life back in 2017.
Tom Bower, a royal expert, shed light on the situation in the Daily Mail, noting, “Certainly, I believe that Ms. Cohen was soon exasperated, within six months or so, and that Meghan either disagreed with, or failed to understand, the non-negotiable elements of royalty. I also believe that members of Samantha Cohen’s team viewed this as an irresponsible self-indulgence. Both sides would blame a clash of cultures.”
Cohen, who resigned in 2018, likened her former role to “working with teenagers,” as per Valentine Low’s book, “Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown.” Despite intending to stay for just six months, Cohen extended her tenure to 18 months due to difficulties in finding a suitable replacement.
The resurgence of these ‘bullying’ claims, initially highlighted in 2020 by The Times through communications secretary Jason Knauf, comes at a delicate time. Knauf’s allegations included claims that Markle had bullied two personal assistants out of their jobs. Despite Harry and Markle’s denial of these accusations, describing them as the “latest attack on her character,” the timing could not be worse with the launch of her lifestyle brand.
As Meghan prepares to introduce American Riviera Orchard to the market, the lingering cloud of these allegations hangs heavy. The brand’s website remains static, offering little more than a sign-up form for updates. With the bio simply reading, “By Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex,” the question remains whether her royal past, marred by controversy, will overshadow her entrepreneurial future.