Meghan Markle will sell products from her lifestyle brand directly to viewers with the help of Netflix, multiple sources tell Page Six.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, launched American Riviera Orchard last March with a soft social media launch that included her. offer pots of homemade jam to high-profile friends like Mindy Kaling, Chrissy Teigen and Kris Jenner.
But there was lots of questions about who exactly runs the brand, who funds it and what products it will include.
A source previously told Page Six that, despite rumors to the contrary, Markle was indeed the CEO of her lifestyle brand.
And now we’re told that Netflix also has a role to play in distributing merchandise that will tie into Markle’s new lifestyle show, “With Love, Meghan,” which launches Jan. 15 on the streamer.
This isn’t the first time the streaming giant has released merchandise alongside its content.
When Netflix and Cupcake Vineyards launched a limited-edition chardonnay called “Love Is Wine” last February — a companion to her reality TV hit “Love is Blind” — the wine sold out online within days. According to TMZ, Netflix has also filed a trademark application for the phrase “Love is Wine” on cake pans, glassware, napkin holders, plates, tea infusers, flasks and several types of drinking glasses.
“The more Netflix gets into live events, the more this kind of thing makes sense for their future,” a Hollywood source told Page Six.
Netflix began offering an ad-supported subscription tier in November 2022 and, the source added: “They are now working with advertisers, which gives them more opportunities to have mutually beneficial partnerships like this- this.”
A representative for the Sussexes declined to comment. Page Six has contacted Netflix for comment.
Markle has already filed trademark applications for her brand to cover a range of home goods, including tableware, kitchen linens, drinking utensils, coffee and tea sets and more. Also listed are jellies, jams, marmalades, fruit preserves and a variety of spreads and butters, as well as body soap, body oil, cosmetics and pet shampoo of companionship.
The app also covers stationery, linens, small kitchen appliances, yoga equipment and gardening equipment.
But Markle faced a multitude of trademark issues since the brand’s impending launch was announced, with rival lifestyle brand Harry & David filing a letter of protest, claiming the name American Riviera Orchard is too similar to its Royal Riviera product line.
And in September, Markle’s trademark application was denied by the USPTO, which warned that companies cannot trademark geographic locations.
American Riviera is a nod to Santa Barbara, California, where she lives with Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Markle’s representatives have previously said such stumbling blocks are to be expected.
In November, it was revealed that Markle had asked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a three-month extension to launch American Riviera Orchard.
THE first look at “With Love, Meghan” dropped last week and featured Markle showing off her cooking and gardening skills in a designer outfit with appearances from her famous friends, including Mindy Kaling, chef Roy Choi, Alice Waters and her “Suits” co-star and BFF Abigail Spencer.
“I’ve always loved taking something that’s pretty ordinary and elevating it,” Markle says in the video, which shows her working in a kitchen while Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Do You Believe in Magic” plays in the background. . “Surprising people with moments that let them know I was really thinking about them.”
When given a piece of cake, Kaling said, “This is probably one of the most glamorous moments of my life. »
An industry insider told us Markle has been busy working on her “entrepreneurial” endeavors.
Page Six first revealed how Markle plans to follow in Lifestyle Dean Martha Stewart with her Netflix show, and clips promoting her brand have shown her in the kitchen of a beautiful Montecito estate.
She filmed her show – which celebrates “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship,” according to Netflix – in California and at the sprawling home of Tom and Sherrie Cipolla, philanthropists who are both part of the social scene of Montecito.
Markle shared the trailer for the series on her new Instagram page, writing, “I was so excited to share this with you! I hope you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed making it. I wish you all a fantastic New Year! Thank you to our incredible team and the @netflix team. Beyond grateful for the support – and fun! »
Directed by Michael Steed, “With Love, Meghan” premieres January 15 with eight episodes of 33 minutes each. Markle and Harry, 40, produced the series through their company Archewell Productions.
This is Markle’s first solo hosting project with Netflix after she and Harry signed a multi-million dollar deal with the streamer in 2020.
In 2022, the Sussexes released their five-part documentary series “Harry & Meghan,” which followed their new life in California.
The project was closely followed by “Heart of Invictus,” a documentary about athletes preparing for the Invictus Games founded by Harry, and, more recently, the documentary series “Polo.”