Meghan Markle’s new brand delayed by leadership challenges and staff resignations
Meghan Markle, the wife to Prince Harry, set the internet on a stir on March 14 when a teaser of her new brand; American Riviera Orchard was released. This lifestyle and kitchen brand seems to be inspired by the couple’s residence in a house in California coastal region. However, again, a report from the New York Post, highlighted that the Duchess has been struggling to secure a CEO which has hampered the brands expansion and product release.
A source revealed that Meghan ,43, cannot find the right leadership for the brand and that has been a cause for the hold up.
"The numbers don't lie and to have almost 20 members of staff quitting on them tells its own story. It's unprecedented, even for a startup," another watcher commented. Another insider concurred by revealing that, "The brutal reality is Harry and Meghan are the toughest of taskmasters, they're very demanding and difficult to work for and that puts a lot of people's backs up."
Remarkably, the newly appointed head of staff for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle resigned after just three months. A seasoned public relations specialist named Josh Kettler was hired by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shortly before their three-day trip to Nigeria in May. But it was revealed a few weeks ago that Mr. Kettler was no longer working for the Sussexes.
Santa Barbara native Mr. Kettler was brought on board to "assist Prince Harry through his next phase" and he went with the 39-year-old father of two on his quick trip to London in May to commemorate the Invictus Games' tenth anniversary.
However, the business of the strawberry jam jars delivered by Ms Markle to only a few of the celebrities in March can be considered as the brand’s starting point strong.” The mother of two also suggested a rose wine line and sent the dog biscuits to her friends.
In earlier this year, the name of the said brand was revealed through a 14-second retro-style video clip which depicted hands of some women arranging flowers, and the duchess of the Meghan Markle cooking something in the kitchen. It ended with a glimpse of a women in a ball gown standing at the end of a colonnade that seemed to go on for ever.
Besides, the official American Riviera Orchard account that is represented on Instagram posted nine enlarged photos of the emblem that is composed of close-ups in total. Its bio also stated that it was written "by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. Established 2024."
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
