Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has shared her first social media post in four years amidst the controversy currently swirling around her estranged royal in-laws across the pond.
While Catherine, Princess of Wales, is embroiled in a furore over a doctored family photo she shared for Mother’s Day last Sunday, the Duchess quietly shared a mysterious Instagram post alluding to a new lifestyle brand she is working on.
The post quite simply features a short vintage-style vignette of scenes with the words, “American Riviera Orchard” linking to a website of the same name.
Montecito, Meghan and her husband Prince Harry’s up-market home town in California, features on the website.
The post has sent the Duchess’ loyal fans and followers into a frenzy as they try and crack the mystery behind her cryptic post.
“Lord help my little heart! Is this a Wedding Venue??”
“What about a wine curated by Meghan, or a perfume.. so many things. Just love her style altogether.”
“Is it a venue? A vineyard? A wine brand? A place to house Kate while she’s in hiding?”
“I’m here for this!!! I’m so excited for her!”
Obviously less impressed, some online detractors said the Duchess was capitalising on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Princess of Wales in England.
“Shocking timing, you know exactly what you are doing. #noshame.”
While others said the Duchess was milking her title for commercial gain.
“Still making money off the royal family megs has no shame.”
“Wow capitalizing off the royal title! She has no respect for the monarchy! If she is well established, then why not use her own name without leeching off the royal title?!”
According to ABC News, a dig around the US trademark office has revealed a little more detail than currently supplied on Meghan’s platforms.
The trademark was filed under a company called Mama Knows Best and according to the pending application, the brand hopes to sell cookbooks, high-end kitchenware, and a variety of gourmet jams and fruit preserves.
As Meghan goes about building her brand, the Prince and Princess of Wales are seemingly in crisis mode as they desperately try to rescue theirs.
The controversial Mother’s Day photo followed Catherine’s two month absence from public duties after her abdominal surgery in January.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond told GB News, “Her Mother’s Day was obviously ruined by this row. She was photographed yesterday in the car with William. From what we can see, she didn’t look that happy, she must feel under intense pressure now whenever she’s going to be seen in public,
“The pressure has doubled and redoubled. I think she’s in a fragile mental and physical state. And we should lay off her.”
The image in question featured Catherine alongside her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, and was shared to social media on March 10 to mark Mother’s Day in Britain.
However, amid allegations it had been digitally manipulated, the image was swiftly withdrawn from news agencies.
“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” she began.
“I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”
While the editing issue has been addressed, the question remains, why did the Princess of Wales see fit to share a manipulated image on social media?