Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, continues to captivate fans with her latest venture into the world of wellness, as she showers praise on the trendy oat latte brand, Clevr Brands. In a recent post on the glossy website, Meghan shared a glowing review alongside a radiant photo with CEO Hannah Mendoza, reaffirming her commitment to the brand she invested in back in December 2020.

The Royal Seal of Approval

The Duchess, known for her Hollywood connections, has strategically used her influence to promote Clevr Brands. Notably, she sent a basket of products to her neighbor Oprah Winfrey, who, in turn, shared her love for the brand online, generating significant buzz. Meghan’s association with Clevr Brands marked her first public investment since stepping back from royal life in 2020, emphasizing her commitment to supporting passionate female entrepreneurs prioritizing community and ethical practices.

Clevr Brands, based in Santa Barbara, California, is a mission-driven, women-led wellness brand, founded by CEO Hannah Mendoza. Meghan’s endorsement aligns with the brand’s commitment to ethical ingredients and holistic wellness, making it a perfect fit for the Duchess’s values. Despite the positive endorsements, controversy arose in 2021 when it was revealed that Clevr Blends sourced ingredients from a Chinese supplier in Xinjiang, known for human rights abuses. The brand later switched to a US-based supplier.

Wellness Beyond the Mug

Clevr Brands, according to co-founder Hannah Mendoza, had humble beginnings. In 2016, she and her co-founder started a pop-up adaptogenic coffee bar, traveling around the US and sharing the magic of plants. The brand’s approach to wellness extends beyond the mug; it’s rooted in ethical, transparent supply chains, with a commitment to food justice and supporting equitable food systems. Hannah describes the drinks as something that she hopes will be “the first and easiest good decision you make each day,” promoting a restorative, not extractive, approach to energizing.

Meghan, in a statement to Fortune confirming her investment in 2019, expressed her pride in supporting Hannah’s commitment to ethical sourcing and creating a product that aligns with her personal values. The Duchess believes in Hannah and her company, emphasizing the importance of both funding and advisory support for entrepreneurs.

Oprah’s Endorsement: A Million-Dollar Promotion

Meghan’s association with Clevr Brands takes another turn when Oprah Winfrey, in November 2021, features the brand in her Favorite Things gift guide. Oprah, a billionaire TV mogul and Meghan’s neighbor, introduced her audience to the “woman-led” brand, expressing her daily enjoyment of the golden latte from Clevr Brands’ kit. The post on Oprah’s Instagram, with over 19 million subscribers at the time, was estimated to be worth a staggering $1 million in free publicity.

This was not the first time Meghan leveraged her friendship with Oprah for Clevr Brands. In 2020, shortly after her investment, Meghan sent Oprah a gift basket filled with the company’s superfood brands. Oprah happily shared the products on her Instagram, further boosting the brand’s visibility.

Ethical Concerns and Controversy

Despite the brand marketing itself as ethical, Clevr Blends faced controversy in 2021. The Mail on Sunday revealed that the company had imported a significant amount of its ingredients from a Chinese supplier based in Xinjiang, a region known for human rights abuses. Human rights groups had urged Western companies to cut ties with Xinjiang due to forced labor and other abuses.

Clevr Blends, however, switched to a US-based supplier in early 2021. The oats received by the company were neither grown nor processed in Xinjiang, alleviating concerns about direct ties to the region’s controversies. The US Department of State issued a warning in July, urging American businesses to sever ties with suppliers in Xinjiang due to severe abuses.

Meghan’s Impact and the Road Ahead

Meghan Markle’s association with Clevr Brands has undeniably contributed to the brand’s success. The Duchess’s royal stamp of approval, coupled with strategic promotions through Oprah Winfrey, has propelled the brand into the spotlight. As fans follow Meghan’s wellness journey and morning ritual, Clevr Brands remains at the forefront, navigating controversies and continuing its mission-driven approach to wellness.

In the ever-evolving landscape of celebrity endorsements and wellness trends, Meghan Markle’s influence continues to shape the success story of Clevr Brands, proving that the intersection of royalty, Hollywood, and ethical entrepreneurship can create a recipe for triumph. As Meghan and Clevr Brands embark on the road ahead, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this royal affair with trendy lattes.

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