[imagesource: Getty]

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has had a tumultuous year, and the press hasn’t been kind.

Not everyone is pleased with her and Harry’s move to California, but to be fair to the couple they seem pretty happy there.

She also spoke out about the miscarriage she suffered earlier in the year, to lend a voice to the trauma that many women have to navigate alone if they lose a baby.

What a number of people have forgotten is that long before she entered the bizarre world of British Royalty, Meghan had already made a name for herself, not only as an actress but through her food and wine blog, which often documented her culinary adventures while filming Suits.

She took this passion into her career as a Senior Royal, which manifested in a bestselling cookbook, Together: Our Community Cookbook.

Per Town & Country, she has now formally announced her investment in Clevr Blends, a coffee company based in southern California and led by Hannah Mendoza (below), that makes instant oat milk lattes with ethically-sourced ingredients.

“This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritizes building community alongside her business,” Meghan said in a statement.

Image: Clevr

“I’m proud to invest in Hannah’s commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness. I believe in her and I believe in her company.”

Meghan decided to get involved in the start-up game due to her concern for female entrepreneurs whose small businesses have been affected by the pandemic.

Her investment will allow Mendoza to scale up her business, which started as a pop-up coffee shop in Santa Barbara.

“Entrepreneurs need funding, but they also need advisors who care deeply about what they are building,” Mendoza said in a statement. “I’m grateful to have found both in The Duchess of Sussex—her passion for what we’re creating is palpable, and I couldn’t imagine a more aligned partnership. We’re excited for the road ahead.”

If her investment wasn’t enough, she also sent a few packets of the lattes to Oprah.

If Oprah likes something… let’s just say that Mendoza should probably generate as much stock as she possibly can.

 

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The lattes don’t come cheap. You’re looking at $28 a bag (R420), but they offset it with one percent of all revenue going to organisations fighting for food justice in the US. Until Meghan stepped in, the brand was self-funded, with only six employees.

Meghan isn’t the first Royal to dabble in the milk business.

The Queen’s grandson, Peter Phillips (15th in line for the throne), and Princess Diana’s niece, Kitty Spencer (not in line for the throne), both appeared in Chinese milk adverts earlier this year.

Perhaps it’s a thing now?

[source:town&country]