With King Charles undergoing treatment for an unspecified form of cancer, and the Princess of Wales still convalescing after abdominal surgery, half of the Royal Family’s most senior members are out of action.
So what better time for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to launch the latest stage of their apparent plan to become the new, more glamorous Royal Family across the pond?
In a slick Instagram video, Meghan unveiled her new lifestyle and cookery brand, American Riviera Orchard. The former actress could be seen busying herself in a rustic-looking kitchen in the video, which was posted online a day after I contacted her office for comment on her plans. American Riviera Orchard will focus on home, garden, food and lifestyle wares.
Meghan and her team decided to post the video even though the coverage it would generate was likely to overshadow an important appearance Prince Harry was making the same evening.
Via video link from the US, he spoke at an awards ceremony for the Diana Trust, a cherished charity that works to promote the legacy of his late mother. Prince William attended the event in person, although he made a point of leaving before his brother’s face appeared on a video screen.
Meghan Markle (pictured with Harry this month) has unveiled her new lifestyle and cookery brand, American Riviera Orchard
While American Riviera Orchard is very much Meghan’s venture, Harry will, I’m told, join his wife for a string of ‘regal’ public appearances over the coming days and weeks.
But as the duchess was seen arranging flowers in her promotional video, and whisking up something in a mixing bowl, Harry was stirring up trouble with an intriguing new friend. I revealed in my social diary, Eden Confidential, on Saturday that the duke, 39, enjoyed a skiing holiday last week with Corey Gamble, 43, a business executive who just happens to be the partner of Kris Jenner, the 68-year-old mother of reality US television royalty, Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian. She also has two daughters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, who have become super-rich stars with the help of their mother as manager, or ‘momanger’, as she’s known.
On the slopes with Harry and Corey in Aspen, America’s swankiest ski resort, were other chums including Whitney Wolfe Herd, 34, who became the youngest female billionaire in the world when she took her online dating company, Bumble, public in 2021, and Whitney’s husband, Michael, whom she first met on a skiing trip to the resort.
Harry enjoyed a skiing holiday last week in Aspen with super-wealthy new pals. Pictured: Harry and Meghan skiing in Whistler, Canada, in February
Corey Gamble , 43, a business executive and partner of Kris Jenner (pictured together), the 68-year-old mother of reality US television royalty, Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian
Michael Herd, a Texan oil heir, owns the private jet on which Harry and Meghan flew to Las Vegas last November to watch their California neighbour, the pop star Katy Perry, perform in concert.
Harry’s hitherto unknown friendship with Kris Jenner’s boyfriend is fascinating. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, is known to be pals with Jenner. I’m told that Harry and Gamble have ‘really hit it off’. They can certainly compare notes on having ambitious other halves.
Kris Jenner and daughter Kim Kardashian, who last week poked fun at the Princess of Wales in a series of posts on Instagram
And while the Kardashian clan can’t offer any tips on regal behaviour, there’s no doubt they can provide money-making advice.
However, before Gamble had time to provide a full debrief on his holiday with the King’s younger son, Kim Kardashian was poking fun at the Princess of Wales.
Amid speculation over Kate’s whereabouts, Kim posted a series of photos of herself on Instagram to her 364million followers, along with the caption: ‘On my way to go find Kate.’ The post added fuel to the fire of often bizarre and cruel conspiracy theories about the princess and her current condition.
While Harry and Meghan’s new showbusiness pals may help them make a fortune, they could spell trouble ahead for the real Royal Family.
