Meghan Markle’s calculated move proves she and Harry are done with the royals

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend Invictus Games Vancouver.

Keep calm and carry on … on Instagram.

In a move the makers of The Crown, or even her mother-in-law, could have executed, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has chosen the royal family’s week from hell to relaunch herself, her new business venture and new online persona.

Markle has rebooted her social media presence with a brand new Instagram account, American Riviera Orchard, complete with a short video introduction showing her in a kitchen baking, sorting white roses and standing in a doorway wearing a full skirted black gown reminiscent of her husband’s ancestor, Queen Victoria.

A room of one's own... Meghan Markle in a video publicising her new website. Photo - Instagram.

The soundtrack also raised eyebrows, the Duchess choosing to enter her new era to the strains of Nancy Wilson’s rendition of ‘I Wish You Love’.

The account was launched at about 4am Friday in Australia and, at the time of publishing, has amassed more than 300,000 followers.

American Riviera Orchard – the Duchess of Sussex's new project – launched online in the early hours of Friday morning. Photo – Instagram.

It is following no one.

Fitting.

This is uncharted territory for the modern royal family.

Given the scandal, mystery, barbs and bombs being thrown from the various royal press offices to media outlets, Markle going rogue and re-emerging online when King Charles III and her sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, are both still (reportedly) recovering from cancer and “planned abdominal surgery” is confirming there is something rotten in the state of Britain.

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The decision to rebrand during the royal family’s roughest week was no doubt a strategic move by the couple who quit their post in 2020.

There is nothing Harry loves more than disrupting the work of his father and brother’s private secretaries and their, seemingly, flat-footed press offices.

Markle’s intentions could be more pure.

It is exactly one year since news broke she was set to relaunch her pre-Harry blog, The Tig.

The lifestyle site launched in May 2014 and was named after her favourite red wine, Tignanello.

According to news items from London and New York, Markle filed with the US Trademark and Patent Office to launch a “revamped” version of the The Tig as soon as “next week”.

That was March 15, 2023.

Yet given the turmoil engulfing the palace this week, you’d think someone who made a living as both a writer and actor could at least room the room?

She and Harry, despite being ensconced in the ample bosom of Hollywood and LA’s exclusive, gated communities, they still read the press from across the pond. Outlets they claim to despise.

Charles is sick and off work.

Camilla has taken a week’s “holiday”.

Catherine is plagued by countless conspiracy theories, #WhereIsKateMiddleton is a hashtag that has been trending for weeks on social media and her apology over the doctored Mother’s Day image has turned her into a meme.

That’s despite the Princess of Wales still being the UK’s favourite member of the royal family, a survey has found. The results of which have no doubted been flagged with Harry and Meghan.

Despite being MIA since January, Catherine remains the most popular member of the royal family. Photo – AFP.

An Ipsos poll of 1000 people conducted (before the latest photo scandal) and published by London’s The Evening Standard this week showed Catherine has remained in favour with the public, retaining the first place she held last year.

More than 38 per cent of Britons named the 41-year-old Princess as the royal they liked the most, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s popularity has decreased. Both saw their popularity slide by three points compared to last year. Prince Harry is on 11 per cent and the Duchess 7 per cent.

“There is never a good time for her to do anything, but surely she could have waited until after Easter when Catherine is due for her public comeback? But then again, this just fuels the rumours (Markle) really doesn’t like Catherine or The Firm at all,” one publicist told The Australian.

“She’s damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t. Even if she waited until Catherine was back, she’d then just be accused of stealing Kate’s thunder,” a brand expert added.

Meanwhile, Diane’s brother Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, released his memoir this week.

Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's brother, has been a vocal critic of the royals and this week released his new memoir. Photo – AFP.

As well as chapters attacking his late sister’s in-laws, the new book also details the beatings, pedophilia and sadistic abuse he was subjected to when he was sent to a prestigious boarding school at 8-years-old, where he was joined by fellow blue bloods and royally-adjacent pre pubescent peers.