Latest Update: Meghan Markle aims subtle dig at royals as she announces launch of new venture….See More

Meghan Markle has sent fans into a frenzy as she announced her new brand, with Prince Harry making a cameo in her Instagram story

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has made an announcement regarding her latest venture, revealing a new “secret” brand named ‘As Ever’. The Duchess, 43, took to her Instagram account to disclose that she’s been secretly working on this new brand behind-the-scenes, which seems to be a successor to ‘American Riviera Orchard’.

A clip showed Prince Harry in support, noting his presence behind the lens as he informed his wife, “the camera is on”. Meghan then confidently addressed her followers with the news: “Cats out of the bag, I’m shocked we’ve kept it a secret for so long,” reports the Express.

Meghan continued: “Last year, I thought you know what, American Riviera, that sounds like such a great name, it’s my neighbourhood [and] its a name for Santa Barbara. But it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area. Then Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show [With Love, Meghan] but as my partner in business. It was huge.”‘

In a apparent subtle dig at the royals after previously saying she wasn’t allowed to do certain things, she added: “I’ve always loved cooking, crafting and gardening. This is what I do and I haven’t been able to share it with you in the same way for the past few years but now I can.”

The new launch comes as Meghan struggled with her trademark application for previous brand name American Riviera Orchard. Last September, it emerged her application to have her brand trademark had been rejected. She was then given three months to respond to the “nonfinal officer action” issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She was also warned that failure to do so could result in her application being abandoned.

Meghan then encountered another stumbling block as a protest against trademarking the brand was lodged with the USPTO by the owners of the ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark. The ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark is owned by Harry & David, a US-based premium food and gifts retailer, for its ‘Royal Riviera Pears’, which are grown in the state of Oregon. The letter of protest, seen by The Mirror said there was a ‘likelihood of confusion’ and the case was referred to Marco Wright, the Trademark Office’s examining attorney.