CEO WOE
Meghan Markle ‘struggling’ to find CEO for American Riviera Orchard after 18 staff quit – as she’s a ‘tough taskmaster’
The Duchess of Sussex has hinted at some of the products she may sell on her website
MEGHAN Markle’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard could be in a sticky situation as they are “struggling to find a CEO”, claims an expert.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, teased the launch of the business back in March, but has so far only sent 50 branded jams to friends and high-profile influencers.
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While one branding expert claimed the delay was down to Meghan seeking out investors, one source said she has another issue on her hands and that's finding a CEO.
According to Closer, a source said: “The numbers don’t lie and to have almost 20 members of staff quitting on them tells its own story.
“It’s unprecedented, even for a startup.
“The brutal reality is Harry and Meghan are the toughest of taskmasters, they’re very demanding and difficult to work for and that puts a lot of people's backs up.”
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It comes as Meghan and Harry lost their chief-of-staff, Josh Kettler, just days before the couple's Colombia trip.
Kettler left his role as Harry’s fixer after only three months.
The veteran PR supremo had reportedly been brought in to "guide Harry through his next phase".
But the staff member stepped down after three months in the role in what Team Sussex insisted was a “mutual decision.”
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Calling it quits
It seems a notable number of their staff have struggled to meet the demands of their roles.
'Smart' decision Meghan Markle must make to 'burnish her image' amid struggles with American Riviera Orchard, claims royal expert
In late 2018, just months after their fairytale wedding — and arguably at the height of their popular appeal — Meghan’s personal assistant Melissa Toubati quit after reports she had been “reduced to tears” by the Duchess of Sussex’s demands.
Not long after, private secretary Samantha Cohen, a seasoned royal aide who worked for the late Queen Elizabeth for 17 years, resigned, reportedly frustrated by the couple’s demands.
She likened working for them to “managing teenagers”, describing an environment where she was pushed to her limits and allegedly screamed at during their official tour of Australia and the Pacific.
Cohen’s departure was followed by a string of other exits.
In January 2019 Meghan’s female bodyguard of six months, who has never been named for security reasons, also quit.
By March, senior communications secretary Jason Knauf jumped ship amid a string of unsubstantiated bullying complaints against Meghan. He went to work for Prince William and Kate’s Royal Foundation.
Meghan also went through three nannies in just six weeks after baby son Archie was born in May 2019.
Fifteen Palace staff were fired by the Sussexes when they stepped down from royal life.
Harry and Meghan’s PR chief Sarah Latham, who was highly regarded and worked for former US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, left the couple after they quit the UK in 2020. Sarah was then recruited for special projects by the late Queen.
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Meghan bullying rumours
In 2021, the palace brought in a team of independent investigators to launch the probe into claims Meghan bullied royal staff, it has been reported.
Palace officials opted to employ a third-party law firm to conduct the investigation into the allegations from former and current aides, according to royal insiders.
The allegations were denied by the duchess, whose lawyers described them at the time as a ‘calculated smear campaign’.
The palace issued a statement saying they “will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace” - but the results of the probe remain private.
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Meghan’s jam brand
The list of products that Meghan will be selling under her American Riviera Orchard brand is endless.
A list of items for sale in a trademark application extension include soaps, creams and bath oils, gels and salts.
A source said: "She's been working on this for over a year and it's all the things that are close to her heart — all the things she's passionate about."
The site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
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As of August 2024, American Riviera Orchard doesn't have a confirmed release date.
A-list members of the Sussexes’ circle have been sent hampers of American Riviera Orchard jam and those who have got to taste the strawberry spread include Kris Jenner, Mindy Kaling and model Chrissy Teigen.
What has Meghan Markle teased from American Riviera Orchard so far?
MEGHAN Markle launched her brand's new Instagram page in March 2024, but no products are available to buy as of yet.
Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
Meghan kicked off promoting American Riviera Orchard by sending 50 branded jams to friends and influencers.
Those who received a package included Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dorak, Tracy Robbins and Kris Jenner.
She later unveiled two new products from her American Riviera Orchard brand just hours before Trooping the Colour.
Polo player and close friend of Prince Harry, Nacho Figueras was treated to a jar of raspberry jam from the collection as well as a jar of luxury dog biscuits for his pooch.