Cryptic message is left for Meghan Markle as UK domain name for American Riviera Orchard site is snapped
A PUZZLING message has been left for Meghan Markle after the UK domain name to her American Riviera Orchard website was snapped up.
The Duchess of Sussex’s new lifestyle brand has been hijacked by what appears to be a fan of Princess Kate.
The US link takes users to Meghan’s website, but the UK version – “americanrivieraorchard.uk” – has been bought by someone who has then linked it to a food bank.
Visitors are asked for donations to the UK-based charity and a message adds: “Thoughts with Catherine.”
The home page states: “Forgiveness. Permission. Please donate to the Trussell Trust”.
Clicking on this link leads to a Just Giving fundraiser for the Trussell Trust charity.
A cryptic message says: “Not Meghan. hope Meghan wouldn’t mind. thoughts with catherine X.”
Other messages add “forgiveness” and “permission”.
It comes after the Princess of Wales revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer last month.
She is currently undergoing chemo.
It is unclear who has bought the UK domain.
The Trussell Trust has confirmed it did not set up the webpage and is not aware of the site.
The link has already received a flurry of donations, expressing praise for Kate and the Trust with messages such as: “We Stand With Catherine”, and: “Just love what you did here!”
The page has so far raised £56 of its £1,000 target.
A donator wrote: “I am happy to support from across the pond and am glad to know of this organization through the link on the American Riviera Orchards website.”
Another added: “A really good way of bringing attention to the great work they do.”
William, The Prince of Wales returned to work today as he visited a food distribution charity, Surplus to Supper – his first official engagements since Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis to the nation.
The Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of food banks, providing emergency food and support to people facing hardship, and campaigns for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.
The anonymous JustGiving page added: “We can create a future where nobody goes hungry, because nobody will allow it – when we work Together for Change.”
Sophie Carre, director of public engagement at the Trussell Trust, said: “The Trussell Trust are grateful to people who put their time and energy into supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK.
“The charity is not connected with this website domain and have no knowledge of who set it up.”
Meghan carried out a soft launch of the first product from her new business venture this week, sending her friends a limited edition jar of strawberry jam.
In March, she announced her project with a teaser video, showing the duchess cooking and arranging white hydrangeas and roses, posted to the new American Riviera Orchard Instagram account.