A COPYCAT website using Meghan Markle’s business name is selling tongue-in-cheek coloring books for just £8.
The apparently satirical website “American Riviera Orchard” lists a selection of books with one labeled “working-class royalty.”
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There’s a blog section that says: “Why Americans reject and don’t care about royal titles like prince, princess, duchess.”
The post goes on to say, “In America, we believe that ALL are created EQUAL. A royal title therefore has no meaning.”
Despite sharing the same name, the two brands are not linked.
Different books listed on the site range from £8 to £16 and are listed alongside bizarre posters about student loans and the American dream.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, unveiled her lifestyle brand in April, delivering beautifully packaged gift baskets to friends and influencers ahead of the launch.
Hinting at the types of products she would sell, the Duchess sent 50 jars of limited edition jam.
Its trademark application said the brand would sell edible and non-perishable products.
She later revealed the website and Instagram with the American Riviera Orchard logo.
Meghan may face challenges other than the awkward copycat attempt when launching her business, a branding expert says.
Professor Pauline Maclaran, professor of marketing and consumer research at Royal Holloway University, told BBC that Meghan is positioning herself to be the next Nigella Lawson or Martha Stewart.
One problem Meghan may face is that, although she has previously shared recipes on her now-defunct blog The Tig, she is not necessarily known for her cooking and has no formal training as a chef.
And royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous: “Meghan has no track record of being a top cook, so she would struggle to be a Californian Nigella Lawson.
“There is a danger that you will spread yourself too thin doing multiple things, none of them well. Meghan is known as an actress, so people might not take her seriously in the kitchen.
“To be fair, she wouldn’t be the first celebrity to decide to cash in on cooking shows for the masses, despite not having much experience.”
Meghan is set to fully debut the lifestyle brand, months after sending the jam packets to friends.
She shared a clip in March on Instagram that showed her arranging flowers and cooking in her California home.
The grainy, vintage-style clip lined up with reports from inside sources that she would likely be selling home, food, gardening and lifestyle products.
The footage also featured the brand’s logo designed in a script-like font reminiscent of a wedding invitation.
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