Duchess Meghan makes Instagram return amid Princess Kate photo editing incident
Duchess Meghan is making a return to Instagram.
The account, @americanrivieraorchard, features nine posts on Instagram, laid out on the account's grid to say American Riviera Orchard Montecito.
A grainy Instagram story video to the late jazz singer Nancy Wilson's "I Wish You Love" features vignettes of the duchess arranging flowers and cooking in the kitchen at what appears to be her home with Prince Harry in Montecito, California. The account's bio says, "by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex" and "Established 2024" while teasing a website, americanriviera.com.
The website, blank save for the name and logo, allows visitors to sign up for a waitlist. However, U.S. trademark application documents for Archewell, a company behind the Duke and Ducchess' post-royal life projects, and American Riviera Orchard feature the same lawyer, Marjorie Witter Norman.
A rep for Duchess Meghan confirmed the brand's legitimacy to USA TODAY. American Riviera Orchard, according to trademark documents, would apply to both online and retail stores with lifestyle products ranging from jams and jellies to tablecloths and tableware.
The return after a yearslong hiatus from the platform follows her sister-in-law Princess Kate's apology earlier this week after a photo shared of her with her three children was removed from use by several major photo agencies in an incident that drew critics and fueled conspiracy theories.
Last week, Duchess Meghan made a rare public appearance at SXSW in Austin, Texas, to speak on a panel titled "Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen" alongside former "Today" anchor Katie Couric and actress Brooke Shields.
Duchess Meghan, 43, ditched her personal Instagram account amid her courtship with Prince Harry, but the pair returned to the platform with a joint account @SussexRoyal run by palace officials.
Duchess Meghan opens up on 'bittersweet'UK departure: 'None of it had to be this way'
In 2017, the "Suits" alum said goodbye to her popular lifestyle blog The Tig and its corresponding Instagram account, which chronicled her life and personal interests to millions of followers.
"After close to three beautiful years on this adventure with you, it's time to say goodbye to The Tig," Meghan wrote at the time, then 35. "What began as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity.
"You've made my days brighter and filled this experience with so much joy. Keep finding those Tig moments of discovery, keep laughing and taking risks, and keep being 'the change you wish to see in the world.'"
Duchess Meghan teased possible Instagram return in 2022: 'I'm getting back on'
As senior royals, she and Harry were only permitted to be on social media through the @KensingtonRoyal account, which was shared with Prince William and Princess Kate, as well as the @SussexRoyal account, both managed by a PR team. In August 2022, the former Meghan Markle opened up about a possible return to Instagram in an interview with The Cut.
"It was a big adjustment — a huge adjustment to go from that kind of autonomy to a different life," Meghan told The Cut.
Meghan revealed to The Cut that she was "getting back on Instagram" but didn't spill details on a timeline or potential handle.
Contributing: Naledi Ushe
