Meghan Markle’s parenting campaigner pal Kelly McKee Zajfen becomes third friend to show off American Riviera Orchard jams – and says she’s ‘so proud’ of the Duchess
Meghan Markle‘s close model pal received the duchess’s American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam.
Kelly McKee Zajfen, 44, the co-founder of Alliance of Moms, a non-profit that supports pregnant and parenting teens who are in the foster care system, took to Instagram to share a snap of the rustic looking product.
The 44-year-old revealed she was ‘so proud’ of Meghan, who launched the first product from her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
Sharing a snap of the jam which was presented in a bowl of lemon’s surrounded by flowers she wrote: ‘Ohhhhh Just a taste of what’s to come!!! So proud of you M @americanrivieraorchard.’
The Duchess of Sussex sent friends the limited-edition jar ahead of the formal launch of her brand later this spring with a range of items.
Meghan Markle ‘s close pal Kelly McKee Zajfen received the duchess’s American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam
Fashion designer Tracy Robbins and Argentine socialite Delfina Balquier posted on Instagram yesterday saying that they each received one of the jars, which PR expert Nick Ede said it looked ‘very home made with a stylish crest and almost handwritten brand name’.
Meghan has supported Kelly through the grief of losing her son George, who died aged just nine in July 2022 after being found unresponsive in their family home.
A close friend of the Zajfen family revealed to DailyMail.com that Kelly’s son George had been found ‘unresponsive’ in their family home and that his death had come as a complete shock to his loved ones and parents.
Kelly – who is also mother to George’s twin sister Lily – herself has been open about her grief on Instagram, writing in October of last year that she was ‘not really okay’, while telling her followers: ‘The light everyday is dim. I try my best. We are all trying our best. I’m so broken.
‘I’m searching everyday to find some new way to mold the pieces back together and I’m completely aware that it may not all fit 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 such an ‘incredible friend and mother’.
‘You are always the first to say yes and support those you love. You are a fierce advocate for those who are in need,’ Kelly continued, while sharing an image of herself and the Duchess of Sussex both wearing ‘Community Motherhood’ T-shirts in support of an Alliance of Moms campaign.
Harry and Meghan donated $5,000 to a GoFundMe fundraiser in the names of their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet after the Zajfen family lost George.
Kelly, 44, the co-founder of Alliance of Moms, a non-profit that supports pregnant and parenting teens who are in the foster care system, took to Instagram to share a snap 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 such an ‘incredible 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 in Utah, in an Instagram post shared by the founder of Pilates Platinum.
The trio have long been the ‘best of 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 pals 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 shifting 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 jar.
Meghan could have found 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 passed away after being found ‘unresponsive’ at his family home in 2022
Fashion designer Tracy Robbins posted a picture of the jam, which had the logo for American Riviera Orchard and ‘Montecito’ underneath. The label also had the words ’17 of 50′
Showing 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 the strawberry jam spread on a piece of bread
Prince William took on the Duchy estate after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, and Duchy organic strawberry jam is on sale at Waitrose for £2.80 per jar – with sales from the full range helping raise £30million for the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund.
Mrs Robbins posted a picture 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 of 50′.
The photo on Mrs Robbins’s Instagram Stories showed the jam in her hand, and she said: ‘@AmericanRivieraOrchard Breakfast, lunch and dinner just got a little sweeter.’
Showing it in a basket with lemons, Mrs Robbins added: ‘Thank you for the delicious basket! I absolutely love this jam so not sure I’m sharing with anyone. @American RivieraOrchard Thank you, M! #MontecitoGoodness #AmericanRivieraOrchard.’
Ms Balquier posted a similar picture on her Stories, saying: ‘Strawberry jam makes me happy. And I love your jam, @AmericanRivieraOrchard.’ Her label said: ’10 of 50.’
The post also showed some of the 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
Fans of Meghan have been left hugely excited by the launch, with one tweeting: ‘I don’t eat jam that much but for you Meg I’m buying some. In fact hubby and kids will eat them on my behalf.’
Another added: ‘I remember learning to make jam in cookery class, so much fun, and all so yummy! I just know Meghan is absolutely loving this new era with ARO, with support from her amazing friends like Delfina.’
And a third said: ‘It’s all in the details, the ARO logo embroidery on the jam covering is exquisite.’
The Duchess is expected to officially launch American Riviera Orchard later this spring, with a source telling People magazine last week: ‘Meghan finds the name American Riviera Orchard perfect. It feels authentic to her.
‘She can’t wait for the website to launch. She is excited about her latest, personal venture. This is something she’s been wanting to do for a while. She is excited to share her style and things that she loves.’
It comes after the Duchess launched her new business venture on March 14 with an Instagram teaser.
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 closes with the brand’s logo written in fine gold script above the word ‘Montecito’.
Limited information has been released about American Riviera Orchard but a trademark application filed on February 2 this year showed the company wishes to offer downloadable and printed recipe books, table wear, textiles, and jams and marmalades, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office website.
The account had 100,000 followers just three hours after its first post – a figure which is now up to 592,000.
Meghan has not run an Instagram account since the Sussexes stepped back from royal life four years ago.
Previously, they ran a joint account @sussexroyal but announced they would stop posting in March 2020.
