Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand seemingly hijacked by alleged Princess of Wales fan

Nika Shakhnazarova
·2 min read
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Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle website was hijacked by a suspected fan of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales.

The UK domain name for her latest venture, American Riviera Orchard, was purchased by a user with links to the UK-based charity the Trussell Trust.

While the US web link is operating as normal, visitors clicking on the UK site are being redirected to a page asking for donations to the charity.

The UK domain name for Meghan Markle’s latest venture, American Riviera Orchard, was purchased by a user with links to the UK-based charity the Trussell Trust.
The UK domain name for Meghan Markle’s latest venture, American Riviera Orchard, was purchased by a user with links to the UK-based charity the Trussell Trust.

“Forgiveness. Permission. Please donate to the Trussell Trust,” the website’s homepage states.

A further message on the JustGiving page reads, “Not meghan. hope meghan wouldn’t mind. thoughts with catherine. X”

A small explainer about the charity and its work is also stated on the site, with a goal to raise $1,200. As of Friday morning, it had amassed $9,800 in donations.

“The charity is not connected with this website domain and have no knowledge of who set it up,” Sophie Carre, a spokesperson for the Trussell Trust, told The Post.

“In line with the Commission’s guidance, we are unable to reject donations unless they meet specific requirements. As the website clearly states that the donations are in aid of the Trussell Trust, the money raised would not meet the requirements for rejection.”

While the US web link is operating as normal, visitors clicking on the UK site are being redirected to a page asking for donations to the charity. American Riviera Orchard
While the US web link is operating as normal, visitors clicking on the UK site are being redirected to a page asking for donations to the charity. American Riviera Orchard
Meghan Markle’s at The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit “Mental Wellness in the Digital Age” as part of Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in New York. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Meghan Markle’s at The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit “Mental Wellness in the Digital Age” as part of Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in New York. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

“All donations received by the Trussell Trust are invested into supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK,” they concluded.

The Post has reached out to Markle’s reps and Kensington Palace for comment.

The American Riviera Orchard US website is currently blank, only asking visitors to provide their email if they want to be notified about “products, availability, and updates” from the brand.

A product from Markle’s store American Riviera. Tracy Robbins / Instagram
A product from Markle’s store American Riviera. Tracy Robbins / Instagram

The digital mishap comes just days after Markle’s celebrity pals rushed to social media to show off the American Riviera Orchard gifts they were sent by the “Suits” alum.

Mindy Kaling, an award-winning actress and longtime friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Tracee Ellis Ross were two of 50 people who received a jam jar from Markle.

Designer Tracy Robbins and Argentinian model Delfina Blaquier, the wife of Prince Harry’s close friend and polo player Nacho Figueras, also each received Markle’s strawberry jelly.