Real reason Meghan Markle has delayed launch of brand as demand for products increases

Meghan Markle will not be thinking about the Royal Family's schedule to time the hard launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, as she is a "relevant figure" currently seeing her "popularity increasing", a PR expert has claimed.

The Duchess of Sussex soft launched her latest business venture earlier this year by landing a new Instagram page for the brand, as well as a website with a waiting list for it.

Since March, the only update on American Riviera Orchard was the debut of the first product to be sold under the brand's name, a jar of strawberry jam, given to 50 influencers to taste test, and most recently the reveal of two more products sent to her and Prince Harry's close friend, Nacho Figueras - a jar of raspberry jam and dog biscuits.

Meanwhile, questions regarding the brand's official launch have been increasing recently, with one royal commentator even claiming the duchess has delayed the launch because she is struggling to staff her new business.

However, Abesi Manyando, author and founder of the public relations and branding development firm Abesi PR, held a different view and suggested there may be a reason Meghan's brand has not launched yet.

Speaking to the Express, she said: "Even when brands give us teasers they may not release until months to a year later.

"Meghan’s global popularity continues to increase especially in America and Africa despite royal expert’s criticism.

"To the rest of the world she is very much a royal and especially in America this will always give her a high degree of relevancy."

The expert added that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's recent trip to Nigeria has boosted their popularity and built up even bigger anticipation for the launch.

She explained: "When Meghan wears something it immediately and factually sells out or triples in demand and sales.

"We saw this with the extreme demand for her outfits during her Nigeria trip. It’s like the Princess Diana effect.

"I believe there is high anticipation' for a drop and the demand for her lifestyle brand has increased after her Nigeria trip.

"So whenever she does release her brand of products it’s going to be very successful, especially in the United States."

Ms Manyando concluded: "You have instances when celebrities tease an announcement and the products drop soon after such as Rihanna did with Fenty Hair and in some instances they may tease a product and the products drop months later and longer. It’s really very relative."