Meghan Markle’s close model friend received the Duchess’ American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam.
Kelly McKee Zajfen, 44, co-founder of Alliance of Moms, a nonprofit that supports pregnant and parenting teens in the foster care system, took to Instagram to share a photo of the product at the rustic appearance.
The 44-year-old revealed she was “very proud” of Meghan, who launched the first product from her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
Sharing a snap of the jam presented in a bowl of lemons surrounded by flowers, she wrote: “Ohhhhh Just a taste of what’s to come!!! I’m so proud of you M @americanrivieraorchard.’
The Duchess of Sussex sent her friends the limited edition jar ahead of her brand’s official launch later this spring, along with a range of items.
Meghan Markle’s close friend Kelly McKee Zajfen received the Duchess’ American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam
Fashion designer Tracy Robbins and Argentinian socialite Delfina Balquier posted on Instagram yesterday that they had each received one of the pots, which PR expert Nick Ede said looked “very homemade with an elegant coat of arms and an almost handwritten brand name”.
Meghan supported Kelly through the grief of losing her son George, who died aged nine in July 2022 after being found unconscious in their family home.
Close family friend Zajfen revealed to DailyMail.com that Kelly’s son George was found “unconscious” in their family home and his death came as a complete shock to his loved ones and parents.
Kelly – who is also the mother of George’s twin sister Lily – has herself spoken openly about her grief on Instagram, writing in October last year that she was “not really doing well”, while telling his followers: “The light is dim every day.” I am doing my best. We are all doing our best. I’m so broken.
“Every day I look for a new way to put the pieces together and I am very aware that everything may not fit together again.”
Last year, she posted a heartfelt tribute to Meghan on her account, praising the Duchess of Sussex for her support and praising her for being an “amazing friend and mother.”
“You are always the first to say yes and support those you love. You are a strong advocate for those in need,” Kelly continued, while sharing an image of herself and the Duchess of Sussex both wearing “Community Motherhood” T-shirts in support of a campaign to the Alliance of Moms.
Harry and Meghan donated $5,000 to a GoFundMe fundraiser on behalf of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after the Zajfen family lost George.
Kelly, 44, co-founder of Alliance of Moms, a nonprofit that supports pregnant and parenting teens in foster care, took to Instagram to share a photo of the rustic-looking product.
Last year, Kelly posted a heartfelt tribute to Meghan on her account, praising the Duchess of Sussex for her support and praising her for being an “amazing friend and mother.”
In March, Meghan enjoyed a ski trip with Kelly and another close friend, Heather Dorak.
The Duchess was pictured smiling with Pilates business owner Dorak and Zajfen on the slopes of Powder Mountain near Salt Lake City, Utah, in an Instagram post shared by the Pilates Platinum founder.
The trio have long been “best friends”, with Meghan first meeting Heather in 2005, when the Pilates and yoga instructor became the former actress during her time on US legal drama Suits.
Kelly and Meghan, meanwhile, became close through the duchess’ ex-husband Engelson, who is friends with the former model’s entertainment lawyer husband Julian.
Heather attended Meghan and Harry’s wedding in Windsor in May 2018 with her husband Matt Cohen.
Meghan’s product launch comes amid a trend of celebrities modifying their own food products – with Julianne Moore, Will Ferrell and LeBron James among those selling honey from their own gardens through the Flamingo Estate brand for up to 250 $ (£200) per pot.
Meghan may have taken inspiration from her father-in-law, King Charles III, who began selling products such as jam from the Duchy of Cornwall estate in the 1990s.
Kelly’s nine-year-old son George died after being found ‘unconscious’ in his family home in 2022
Fashion designer Tracy Robbins posted a photo of the jam, which had the American Riviera Orchard logo and “Montecito” underneath. The label also had the words “17 out of 50”.
Showing off the strawberry jam in a basket with lemons, Tracy Robbins added: “Thank you, M!”
Delfina Balquier also posted a photo on Instagram and said: “Strawberry jam makes me happy”
Delfina Balquier’s video also showed strawberry jam spread on a piece of bread
Prince William took over the Duchy Estate following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, and the Duchy’s organic strawberry jam is on sale at Waitrose for £2.80 per jar – with sales of the full range helping to raise £30 million for the Prince of Wales’s charitable fund.
Ms Robbins posted a photo of Meghan’s jam, which had the American Riviera Orchard logo and ‘Montecito’ underneath – the celebrity enclave in California where Harry and Meghan live in a £12million home. The label also had the words “17 out of 50”.
The photo on Ms. Robbins’ Instagram Stories showed the jam in her hand and she said: “@AmericanRivieraOrchard Breakfast, lunch and dinner just got a little sweeter.”
Showing him in a basket of lemons, Ms Robbins added: “Thank you for the delicious basket!” I love this jam, so I’m not sure I’d share it with anyone. @American RivieraOrchard Thanks, M! #MontecitoGoodness #AmericanRivieraOrchard.’
Ms Balquier posted a similar photo to her Stories, saying: “Strawberry jam makes me happy. And I love your jam, @AmericanRivieraOrchard.’ Its label read: “10 out of 50.”
The post also showed some jam spread on a piece of bread.
Delfina Blaquier with her husband Nacho Figueras alongside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge for Sentebale in Wellington, Florida last Friday
Meghan’s fans were extremely excited about the launch, with one tweeting: “I don’t eat much jam but for you Meg I buy some.” In fact, my husband and children will eat them on my behalf.
Another added: “I remember learning how to make jam in cooking class, it was so much fun and everything was so delicious! I just know Meghan is loving this new era with ARO, with the support of her amazing friends like Delfina.
And a third said: “It’s all in the details, the ARO logo embroidery on the jam coating is exquisite. »
The Duchess is expected to officially launch American Riviera Orchard later this spring, with a source telling People magazine last week: “Meghan thinks the name American Riviera Orchard is perfect. It feels authentic to her.
“She can’t wait for the website to launch. She is excited about her latest personal venture. It’s something she’s wanted to do for a while. She is excited to share her style and the things she loves.
It comes after the Duchess launched her new business on March 14 with a teaser on Instagram.
A vintage-style video of Meghan cooking and arranging white hydrangeas and roses was posted to the new American Riviera Orchard Instagram account.
The brief video was set to Nancy Wilson’s I Wish You Love and ends with the brand’s logo written in thin gold letters above the word “Montecito.”
Limited information has been released about American Riviera Orchard, but a trademark application filed on February 2 of this year showed that the company wanted to offer downloadable and printed recipe books, tableware, textiles, as well as jams and marmalades, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. website.
The account had 100,000 followers just three hours after it was first posted – a figure that now stands at 592,000.
Meghan has not had an Instagram account since the Sussexes stepped away from royal life four years ago.
They previously ran a joint account @sussexroyal, but announced they would stop posting in March 2020.
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