**Meghan Markle’s Orchard: Rumors of Closure or Just a Bump in the Road?

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A fresh wave of speculation has hit social media, with whispers suggesting that Meghan Markle's business venture, American Riviera Orchard, has permanently closed its doors.

This rumor seems to have originated from a Twitter user known as Tenova212, who claimed that TMZ reported on the shutdown.

According to this tweet, the closure was attributed to insufficient financial backing, and the entire endeavor would be remembered for just “52 jam jars and a single jar of dog treats.”

But hold on—before we jump on the rumor bandwagon, let's take a closer look at what's really going on.

The chatter about American Riviera Orchard quickly spread across Twitter, with the initial post garnering over 162,000 views, along with 250 retweets, 3,000 likes, and 171 comments.

Despite its viral nature, the credibility of this information remains questionable.

A thorough search through TMZ's archives and other reputable news outlets revealed no confirmation of the alleged closure.

It seems that the rumor mill might be working overtime without any solid evidence to back it up.

Interestingly, when searching for news on Meghan Markle and American Riviera Orchard, nothing substantial popped up regarding the business shutting down.

In fact, both the official Instagram account and website for American Riviera Orchard are still live and operational.

This contradicts the claims circulating on social media about the venture being defunct.

The lack of reliable reports from major media sources further underscores the notion that the assertions made by Tenova212 are likely unfounded.

The ease with which misinformation spreads on social media is alarming.

A single tweet can set off a chain reaction, leading many to believe something that isn't true.

Amidst this whirlwind of rumors, it's essential to reflect on Meghan Markle's strategic choices concerning her business.

Notably, she has opted to keep Prince Harry out of the promotional spotlight for American Riviera Orchard.

The promotional material features Meghan alone, signaling that this project is primarily her own.

Branding expert Lucy Green weighed in on this decision, suggesting that Meghan's solo approach is deliberate.

She stated, “Speculative but strategically it could be so that there's no sense that she's leveraging a direct royal connection.” Meghan, with her background as a former lifestyle influencer, has the credibility to carve out her own space in the business world.

Unlike Harry, whose focus has largely been philanthropic, Meghan is tapping into her experience to build a brand that reflects her interests.

In March, Meghan teased the launch of American Riviera Orchard on Instagram, branding it with the tagline, “By Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.”

This branding strategy could play a significant role in shaping the narrative around the brand, particularly one aimed at empowering women.

Green pointed out that Meghan has always identified as a female entrepreneur, connecting with other women leaders and celebrities on this basis.

While there was much initial excitement surrounding the launch of American Riviera Orchard, sales have yet to materialize.

Green mentioned that the delay in selling products might stem from Meghan's efforts to secure partnerships for the company.

So far, she has sent branded strawberry jams to over 50 friends and influencers, including notable names like Chrissy Teigen and Kris Jenner, as well as raspberry jam and dog treats to Prince Harry's polo buddy, Nacho Figueras.

So, what does this all mean for Meghan Markle and her entrepreneurial journey?

While the rumor mill churns out tales of closure, the reality appears to be quite different.

With active social media accounts and no credible reports confirming a shutdown, it seems that American Riviera Orchard is still very much alive.