King Charles’s ‘loyalists’ have rushed to secure a top item from his Highgrove shop after Meghan Markle unveiled the first product her new brand has created. King Charles “might have the last laugh” after Meghan Markle revealed the first item manufactured under her American Riviera Orchard brand, sparking a frenzy among royal fans.
The Duchess of Sussex this week had the first 50 jars of the brand’s strawberry jam sent to friends and influencers – who quickly shared pictures of the product across social media. But while the strategic unveiling had the royal community aflutter over Meghan’s new venture, it also inadvertently boosted the sale of a similar product sold in the King’s personal farm shop, a royal commentator claimed.
Richard Eden said sources at His Majesty’s private home, Highgrove, have reported an increased demand for strawberry jam in the aftermath of the Duchess unveiling the first product created under the America Riviera Orchard label. The King has been selling a variety of products for the home and garden using material and produce from the organic farm he helped set up since the 1990s.
Speaking on Palace Confidential, the royal commentator said: “King Charles might have the last laugh cause sources in his Highgrove shop in Gloucestershire tell me there’s been a real run on his Highgrove strawberry conserve. “So what happened is that loyal royalists, all this talk about Meghan’s jam, they want to go and buy a pot of the King’s.” The Highgrove Organic Strawberry Preserve, which retails for £6.95, was reportedly sold out within hours of the first images of Meghan’s jam hitting social media. It was back in stock by Thursday.
The King converted Home Farm on the Highgrove estate into a fully working organic farm in 1985. In 1992, the Highgrove Shop opened up to the public, selling a wide range of jams and preserves as well as products for the home and body. Meghan turned to longtime friends such as Delfina Blaquier, the wife of Prince Harry’s close pal Nacho Figueras, and Kelly McKee Zajfen as well as A-listers Tracee Ellis Ross and Mindy Kaling to promote her jam. Blaquier shared a photo of herself holding jar 10 of 50, captioning the snap: “Strawberry jam makes me so happy.”
PR expert Megan Boyle told the Daily Express that Meghan likely chose to release only 50 jars of the preserve to create some hype before the official launch of the brand. The TAL Agency expert said: “The suggestion that the jam has only been sent to 50 people creates demand and interest. “It may have been a low-key launch, but it perfectly aligns with the softer and homely approach of those celebrities on the receiving end.
“Meghan will have put a great deal of thought into who receives a jar, and individually numbering shows that it’s limited edition, but also doesn’t leave people feeling left out.”
