Questions are mounting over the Duchess of Sussex's American Riviera Orchard jam production, with just weeks remaining until her Netflix series launches on March 4.
Despite plans to unveil her lifestyle brand's products alongside the streaming show "With Love, Meghan", crucial details about the operation remain shrouded in mystery.
It is still unclear where Meghan will source her fruit, who will package her products, or whether any jams have been produced for sale.
Sources claim items from her new product line will feature in the eight-part Netflix series, though both Netflix and the Duchess's representatives have declined to comment.
Meghan Markle sparks mystery as Montecito locals admit they're clueless
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An extensive investigation by The Mail on Sunday has revealed that none of the dozens of fruit farmers, jam producers and industrial food plants within 100 miles of Montecito, California, claim any knowledge of Meghan's product.
Molly Gean, whose farm produces Harry's Berries preserves, stated: "We have no knowledge whatsoever."
"There's no way that she's slaving for hours over a hot stove stirring steaming strawberries," said one industrial jam producer.
"She's most likely to use a co-packager who'll source her fruit, cook it, put it in jars, label it, add the nutritional and ingredient details, and send it out under her company's name."
American Riviera Orchard will sell jams, tablecloths, cutlery and moreInstagramYet no major co-packagers in Southern California have claimed involvement in the project.
The Duchess first promoted her American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam in April 2024, sending samples to celebrity friends including supermodel Chrissy Teigen and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer.
The jams were presented with Meghan's personal calligraphy and adorned with delicate ribbon bows, embodying the gourmet luxury image she aims to project for her lifestyle brand.
However, observers noted that the limited run of 50 jars distributed to friends never claimed on their labelling to be "locally grown" or "locally manufactured".
Kris Jenner posted this photo on her Instagram story thanking the Duchess of Sussex for her jar of jamInstagramQuestions have also emerged about trademark approval for the American Riviera brand name.
"Products or services need to come from or originate from the place as identified in the name of the trademark," explained Michael Cohen, trademark and intellectual property lawyer at Cohen IP Law Group in Los Angeles.
Plans are underway to sell Meghan's products in 'Netflix House' stores in Dallas and Philadelphia shopping centres.
However, these retail locations won't open for several months, raising further questions about where and when the products might be available for purchase.
A source noted: "Where is she going to sell the products, and does she even have products ready to sell?"
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Meghan's Netflix show is titled 'With Love, Meghan'NetflixThe Duchess departed the Invictus Games in Canada early, leaving Prince Harry to handle the closing ceremony alone.
Whilst officially she planned to return to the couple's £14.5million Montecito home to be with children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, sources suggest she has returned to work on her product line.
One source told The Mail on Sunday that Meghan could launch her company under the "With Love, Meghan" logo.
"But then Netflix would likely expect a cut of everything she sells," the source added.
When asked if the brand's launch was imminent, sources close to Meghan said to "stay tuned".
