Meghan Markle has been criticised for making a “silly move” while launching her new lifestyle business venture.
The 42-year-old Duchess of Sussex debuted American Riviera Orchard on social media last week. Meghan’s new venture is expected to focus on lifestyle and food and tie in with a Netflix cooking show.
The social media launch has raised a few eyebrows, with many confused about Meghan’s timing. Just one week before her return to Instagram, the former Suits actress made a speech at an International Women’s Day panel in Texas in which she vowed to stay away from social media, warning of its “dangers” and speaking about her experience of cruel trolling.
Although the Instagram page – which went viral within hours – has yet to share what the business will entail, it has revealed the brand’s logo and a link to a website where people can join a waiting list. However, Meghan’s wording in her account bio has been blasted by PR experts – calling it “silly”.
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The description of the page reads: “by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex” and the former actress’s decision to use her royal title has been branded “silly” by branding experts.
PR guru Renae Smith described the move as “not without its controversies” and that it “raised questions”. Speaking to The Express, she said: “This was a silly move from her – and it raises pertinent questions about the balance between leveraging one’s unique position and the responsibilities that come with it.”
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Renae said that Meghan’s use of her title as a marketing tool for her personal brand will only add confusion, adding she should not use her royal status if she “doesn’t want the work that comes” with it. She said: “If she doesn’t want the work that comes with the title, as her PR manager, I would have advised her to not use it for a personal brand that has nothing to do with public service. “
According to Renae, The Duchess’s decision to venture into the influencer world is not the most straightforward way to clean up her public image, adding that she would have advised Meghan to do more charitable work instead. She explained: “While a pivot towards philanthropy would, in my opinion, be a more straightforward path to rehabilitating public image, the choice to establish a lifestyle brand is not surprising if we consider what we know about her personality and priorities.”
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