Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly facing challenges in finding a CEO for her upcoming brand, American Riviera Orchard, after 18 staff members have quit. According to a report by the New York Post, these staffing issues have caused delays in the launch of her lifestyle and kitchen brand, which is named after her and Prince Harry’s oceanside home in California.
A source noted the difficulty of hiring a CEO is a significant reason for the delay. “The numbers don’t lie, and with nearly 20 staff members quitting, it clearly indicates there are underlying issues,” the source said. “Even for a startup, this is unprecedented.”
The insider added, “The reality is that Harry and Meghan are very demanding and tough to work for, which has caused friction with many of their staff.”
In a notable example of the staffing turnover, the Sussexes’ newly hired chief of staff, Josh Kettler, resigned after just three months. Kettler, a public relations expert, had been brought on board just before Prince Harry’s trip to Nigeria in May but left a few weeks ago after a mutual decision that the role wasn’t a good fit.
Kettler’s departure occurred shortly before Prince Harry and Meghan’s scheduled trip to Colombia, where they were set to meet with youth leaders as part of their anti-online bullying campaign.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle has been teasing the launch of American Riviera Orchard. She sent jars of strawberry jam to select celebrities in March, which was followed by hints of a potential rose wine line and dog biscuits sent to celebrity friends. Earlier this year, the brand’s name was revealed in a 16-second retro-style video, featuring scenes of flowers being arranged and the Duchess stirring a pot in the kitchen. The video ends with a woman in a ball gown standing at the end of a long colonnade.
The official American Riviera Orchard Instagram page, written “by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex,” also features images and an emblem related to the brand. However, the ongoing staffing challenges have left the launch date uncertain, with no word yet on when the brand will officially launch or when products will be available for sale.