WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:13.480
Caloroga Shark Media. Hello and welcome through Palace Intrigue game
2
00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:17.879
post Mark Francis Megan, the Duchess of Sussex, has announced
3
00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:23.079
a significant rebranding of her lifestyle venture, replacing American Riviera
4
00:00:23.239 --> 00:00:27.199
Orchard with the new name as Ever. The shift, which
5
00:00:27.239 --> 00:00:29.879
coincides with the upcoming release of her Netflix series With
6
00:00:30.039 --> 00:00:34.679
Love Megan, was revealed through a video on Instagram seemingly
7
00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:38.840
filmed by Prince Harry. Meghan explained the transition, saying, last year,
8
00:00:38.880 --> 00:00:41.479
I thought, you know what, American Riviera. That sounds like
9
00:00:41.520 --> 00:00:44.439
such a great name, but it limited me to things
10
00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:47.960
that were just manufactured and grown in this area. Then
11
00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:50.719
Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show,
12
00:00:50.759 --> 00:00:53.799
but as my partner in business. It was huge. The
13
00:00:53.799 --> 00:00:56.880
announcement was accompanied by a launch of a new website
14
00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:00.759
for as Ever, which features a carefully curated photograph of
15
00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:03.200
Megan walking hand in hand with a three year old daughter,
16
00:01:03.240 --> 00:01:06.680
Princess Lilabet, across a scenic filled with the Pacific Ocean
17
00:01:06.680 --> 00:01:10.560
in the background. While maintaining their commitment to privacy, the
18
00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:14.719
Sussexes have increasingly shared glimpses of their children though their
19
00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:19.200
faces remain unseen. Meghan's rebrand follows reported challenges in securing
20
00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:23.519
the American Riviera Orchard trademark. Her previous application was rejected
21
00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:27.079
by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the
22
00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:31.680
brand also faced opposition from Royal Riviera Pairs, a registered
23
00:01:31.719 --> 00:01:35.200
trademark owned by US Gormet food company Harry and David.
24
00:01:35.400 --> 00:01:39.079
While Meghan has not publicly acknowledged these hurdles, the shift
25
00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:43.200
to as Ever allows for broader market potential beyond California
26
00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:47.239
based goods. In her Instagram caption, Megan shared the inspiration
27
00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:50.879
behind the new name, stating as Ever means as it's
28
00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:54.400
always been, or some even say in the same way
29
00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:57.519
as always. If you've followed along since my days of
30
00:01:57.560 --> 00:02:00.799
creating the Tig, you'll know this couldn't be truer for me.
31
00:02:01.319 --> 00:02:04.200
She described the brand as an extension of her passion
32
00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:08.599
for food, gardening, entertaining thoughtful living, and finding joy in
33
00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:13.400
the every day. While specific product offerings remain under wraps,
34
00:02:13.719 --> 00:02:17.639
a previous trademark application for as Ever, filed in twenty
35
00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:21.039
twenty two, suggests it may encompass homewhere items such as
36
00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:26.360
table linens, candles, spreads, and jewelry. Megan teased forthcoming product launchers,
37
00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:30.039
hinting that her beloved fruit preserves would be included. Of
38
00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:32.479
course there will be fruit preserve. I think we're all
39
00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:35.319
clear at this point. The Jam is My Jam. The
40
00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:39.800
as Ever website, much like its predecessor, encourages visitors to
41
00:02:40.039 --> 00:02:44.080
subscribe for updates, bearing the tagline save your seat at
42
00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:47.039
the Table. Its branding features a palm tree logo with
43
00:02:47.080 --> 00:02:52.800
two hummingbirds, reinforcing the Sussex's signature esthetic of nature and symbolism.
44
00:02:53.080 --> 00:02:56.680
Megan's return to the lifestyle space marks a continuation of
45
00:02:56.719 --> 00:03:00.639
her independent brand building, echoing her early blogging days with
46
00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:04.719
The Tig. With Netflix as both a media business partner,
47
00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:08.879
the as Ever launch underscores the Sussexes evolving commercial strategy,
48
00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:14.360
balancing personal branding with product development. Meghan's rebranding of American
49
00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:17.639
Riviera Orchard into as Ever has been described as a
50
00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:21.680
total rush by industry insiders, with critics pointing to recycled
51
00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:25.120
promotional material and a last minute name change that leaked
52
00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:29.400
online well before her official announcement. Internet slith's have already
53
00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:33.120
discovered a Shopify store linked to as Ever featuring an
54
00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:35.960
unseen image of Megan cooking, later replaced by the more
55
00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:39.919
polished shot of her holding hands with lilibert. One Communication's
56
00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:43.120
veteran was quick to compare the rollout unfavorably to other
57
00:03:43.159 --> 00:03:47.120
celebrity business launchers. You wouldn't catch Kim Kardashian doing this,
58
00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:52.199
they remarked, adding that the eleventh hour name change telegraphed inauthenticity.
59
00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:57.120
Another branding expert echoed similar concerns, telling Mail Online it
60
00:03:57.159 --> 00:03:59.560
appears to have been a total rush, despite what Meghan
61
00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:02.840
says about as ever, going back to twenty twenty two,
62
00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:07.319
they've clearly had to abandon American Riviera Orchard but recycle
63
00:04:07.400 --> 00:04:10.680
all the promos due to the trademark dispute. The leak
64
00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:13.520
happened yesterday and you have to wonder if her hand
65
00:04:13.639 --> 00:04:16.720
was forced. Meghan's business move comes after a string of
66
00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:20.879
difficulties securing the trademark for American Riviera Orchard. The brand
67
00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:24.319
faced a legal challenge from Royal Riviera Pairs, owned by
68
00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:27.160
gourmet food company Harry and David, which argued that Megan's
69
00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:30.839
chosen name was too similar. There were also regulatory hurdles,
70
00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:33.800
including errors in the original filing, forcing her legal scene
71
00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:39.680
to request multiple extensions. Public relations expert Mark Borkowski suggested
72
00:04:39.720 --> 00:04:43.720
the constant reinvention is a deliberate tactic. This isn't an
73
00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:47.439
identity crisis, it's a business model. Megan isn't floundering. She's
74
00:04:47.480 --> 00:04:52.519
fluctuating on purpose. The perpetual reinvention, the strategic vagueness, it's
75
00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:56.600
all by design, he elaborated. No, it's a TV show. No,
76
00:04:56.839 --> 00:04:59.759
it's a jam. No, it's a vague, atmospheric brand called
77
00:05:00.040 --> 00:05:03.000
as Ever, the more unpredictable she is, the harder it
78
00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.639
is to take her down. She's not trying to be Goop,
79
00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:08.279
She's trying to be a mystery. The product she's selling,
80
00:05:08.759 --> 00:05:13.800
endless curiosity about Megan Markel, a podcasting industry inside, a
81
00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:17.279
told pallace intrigue. Awesome, keep up the great work, Meghan.
82
00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:20.720
We love the downloads. As Ever sounds fab and nobody
83
00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:24.000
is going to make fun of it, Borkowski added, with
84
00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:27.360
a touch of sarcasm. So what's next? A mindful button
85
00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:31.399
knife lyne, a sustainably sourced candle that smells like reinvention.
86
00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:35.120
A pop up experience where guests can personally witness Meghan
87
00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:38.680
not answering direct questions. Whatever it is, expect another name
88
00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:42.519
change when this one inevitably runs its course. A source
89
00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:45.199
bluntly told The Daily Beast, there are only so many
90
00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:48.120
relaunchers you can do before you start to look ridiculous.
91
00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:52.439
As ever, despite the possible hiccups to the Megan pr
92
00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:53.920
machine is up and running, and we'll see if the
93
00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:57.560
Wales family responds by having Kate pet cute Golden Retriever
94
00:05:57.639 --> 00:06:01.199
puppies to pull back the attention Forbes about the Meghan
95
00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:04.680
Markel effect, we're told how Meghan's ability to transform a
96
00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:07.439
brand's fortunes with a single fashion choice was once again
97
00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:10.879
on full display, this time for small business owner Leah
98
00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:14.040
Valencia Key. The Duchess of Sussex, was spotted wearing the
99
00:06:14.120 --> 00:06:16.759
Joy bracelet from Valencia Key while attending events at the
100
00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:20.399
Invictors Games in Vancouver earlier this month, setting off a
101
00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:23.639
staggering eleven thousand percent increase in sales for the brand
102
00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:26.360
and an almost immediate sellout of the one hundred and
103
00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:30.079
twenty five dollars bracelet. For Leah, the bracelet's newfound success
104
00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:32.839
was nothing short of life changing, Speaking about the moment
105
00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:35.759
she realized Meghan had worn her design she recalled, my
106
00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:38.199
phone starts to bling, bling, bling, bling. I could not
107
00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:41.120
believe it. I fell to my knees and tears and prayed,
108
00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:43.439
she said, describing the moment as more than just a
109
00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:47.800
lucky break, a blessing. The Meghan Markel effect, which first
110
00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:51.800
gained notoriety in twenty seventeen when her Strathberry handbag sold
111
00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:54.959
out in minutes following her first royal engagement, remains as
112
00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:58.560
powerful as ever. Meghan herself acknowledges this recently, telling The
113
00:06:58.600 --> 00:07:00.879
New York Times That's one one of the most powerful
114
00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:03.879
things that I'm able to do, and that's simply wearing
115
00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:11.000
like an earring Pellasantry will be right back. A nice
116
00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:14.240
moment was captured on video. A young boy asked Prince
117
00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:17.639
William if he is the King. Williams simply answered, no,
118
00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:21.759
I'm not, I'm his son. Royal expert Richard fitz Williams
119
00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:25.720
tells Fox News Digital that Charles is likely relieved Trump
120
00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:28.519
isn't a planning on deporting Harry because it would put
121
00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:32.000
the spotlight back on the Sussexes. Harry would undoubtedly appeal,
122
00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:34.639
the publicity would be ceaseless. Apart from the fact that
123
00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:37.279
the Royal Family is the UK government's trump card in
124
00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:40.680
dealing with the most unpredictable president of them all. Harry
125
00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:43.399
is in self imposed exile and the Royal Family have
126
00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:47.800
health struggles and do not trust the Sussexes. Jane Andrews,
127
00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:51.680
the former Royal dresser to Sarah Ferguson, has been seen
128
00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:55.000
leading a quiet new life twenty four years after she
129
00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:59.720
was convicted of murdering her boyfriend Tom Cressman. Now fifty seven,
130
00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:04.040
Andrews has reportedly found work at a charity funded animal hospital.
131
00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:07.519
Andrews worked for the Duchess from nineteen eighty eight until
132
00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:11.600
ninety seven, before her life took a dramatic and violent turn.
133
00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:14.600
In two thousand, she attacked Pressmen in his sleep at
134
00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:17.480
their Fulham flat, bludgeoning him with a cricket bat before
135
00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:20.439
stabbing him with a kitchen knife. At her two thousand
136
00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:22.519
and one trial at the Old Bailey, she was convicted
137
00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:26.279
of murder and sentenced to life in prison. She served
138
00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:29.519
fourteen years before being released on license in twenty fifteen,
139
00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:32.960
but was recalled to prison in twenty eighteen following allegations
140
00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:37.559
of harassment involving a married man. Police found no evidence
141
00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:39.840
to pursue the claims, and she was re released in
142
00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:44.639
twenty nineteen. Now recently published photographs show Andrews in a
143
00:08:44.679 --> 00:08:47.840
blue uniform and lanyard as she walks a dog, an
144
00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:51.360
unrecognizable figure compared to the woman once seen at royal engagements.
145
00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:54.720
A local observer remarked, you'd never guess she'd been a
146
00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:58.480
key part of royal life, and there you have it.
147
00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:00.919
She wants to email us of addresses The Palace Intrigue
148
00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:03.080
at gmail and dot com. Please follow us on Spotify,
149
00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:05.320
Apple or the app of your choice and leave us
150
00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:07.399
a review of five stars. If you're enjoying the show
151
00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:10.279
and mark Francis my thanks to John McDermott. This is
152
00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:12.320
Palace Intriguing Good times