Meghan Markle Raises Eyebrows As New ARO Products Are Unveiled Amid Kate Middleton's Grand Return

Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras showcased PR gifts from Meghan Markle's new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, on Instagram, including raspberry jam and dog biscuits.

The timing of the product showing has raised eyebrows because it comes amid Meghan's sister-in-law, Kate Middleton's big return to the spotlight after her cancer announcement in March.

Nacho Figueras is among 50 recipients of Meghan Markle's new products, part of the Duchess' strategy to build momentum for her brand ahead of its full launch.

Figueras is the latest prominent figure to showcase PR gifts from Meghan's brand, American Riviera Orchard.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, the well-known polo player and close friend of Prince Harry shared pictures of jam and dog biscuits, presumably from the Duchess' company.

He is reportedly among approximately 50 individuals who received a PR package from Meghan's new lifestyle brand, which she introduced earlier this year.

An earlier batch of jam, arranged in baskets of lemons, was sent to around 50 recipients, as indicated by the handwritten labels on the jars that numbered each jar within the batch, such as "11 of 50."

While the initial jam was strawberry, this new batch is raspberry. Figueras received the exclusive flavor, with his jar labeled "2 of 2."

The dog biscuits, a new addition to American Riviera Orchard's product line, were presented in a large glass jar with a handwritten label, believed to have been personally penned by Meghan. The treats were photographed next to Figueras' dog, Nina Iggy.

While it is unclear if the polo player's timing was intentional, the recent release of Meghan's new ARO products has raised eyebrows due to it clashing with Kate Middleton's appearance at the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Kate revealed yesterday in an emotional message about her cancer battle that she would be present for King Charles' birthday parade while noting that her cancer treatment still continues.

In a development that has delighted many, Kate stuck to her words by making a grand appearance at the celebration in a carriage alongside her three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

The Princess of Wales also appeared alongside the rest of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony. She looked happy and radiant in a stunning white ensemble and a white hat that complemented the outfit perfectly.

Figueras's post showing his jam and dog biscuits follows the reveal of the tenth recipient, Heather Dorak, a celebrity Pilates instructor and friend of Meghan.

After receiving her package, Dorak shared an Instagram photo of her sons, Noah and Cody, enjoying the limited edition jam on toast.

According to the Daily Mail, Dorak revealed that her jam was numbered "7 out of 50," making her the tenth identified "jamfluencer" of Meghan's.

She captioned her post: "Kid tested, mother approved! Thank you for the tasty homemade jam @AmericanRivieraOrchard. Love you, M!"

Other friends who received the jam and posted about it online include Kelly McKee Zajfen, Abigail Spencer, Delfina Balquier, Kris Jenner, Garcelle Beauvais, Tracy Robbins, Mindy Kaling, Chrissy Teigen, and Tracee Ellis Ross.

The "jamfluencer" trend comes as Meghan is ramping up efforts to build momentum for her new venture, American Riviera Orchard, ahead of its anticipated full launch later this year.

In March, the duchess introduced her business with a teaser video on Instagram, featuring her cooking and arranging white hydrangeas and roses.

The brief, vintage-style video, set to Nancy Wilson's "I Wish You Love," concluded with the brand's logo, American Riviera Orchard, in the elegant gold script above the word Montecito, where the Duke and Duchess reside.

Details about Meghan's new project remain sparse, but as shown on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website, a trademark application filed in February indicates the company plans to offer downloadable and printed recipe books, tableware, textiles, and jams and marmalades.

Earlier this year, branding expert Nick Ede suggested that Meghan was distributing her homemade jam to friends as a strategy to spotlight her new business venture, American Riviera Orchard, by offering a "personal present" likely made with ingredients from Montecito.

According to the Daily Mail, Ede described the jars as looking "very homemade with a stylish crest and almost handwritten brand name."

He added that the jam "will have most likely have been sourced in Montecito and produced by hand by Meghan herself to make them feel special and thought of."

Ede explained that Meghan's approach aims to "highlight the brand rather than herself," encouraging people to embrace the ARO lifestyle rather than just her personal brand.

The expert also noted that the absence of detailed information and the inability to purchase Meghan's jam "could be frustrating to potential purchasers and fans who want to know more."