Why is Meghan Markle Keeping up with the Kardashians? Duchess choses ‘Momager’ Kris Jenner to receive the 13th jar of American Riviera Orchard jam in another surprising link with LA’s most famous family

As Kris Jenner proudly displayed her jar of American Riviera Orchard jam, the 13th in the series of 50 jars, she confirmed another of the Duchess’s connections to the most famous family in Calabasas.

Meghan has several connections to the Kardashians, the family made famous by their reality show Keeping up with the Kardashians, and appears to live in similar circles in LA.

As she prepares to launch her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard later this spring, the 42-year-old mother of two is relying on an exclusive group of friends, including some very famous faces, to promote her strawberry jam — and it’s certainly led to a storm on social media.

While both Kris Jenner and another friend of the Kardashians, Chrissy Teigen, reveal they have received jars of jam, this is another suggestion that Meghan and Harry are growing closer to Kris and her Kardashian empire.

The Kardashian mother and reality TV star shared a photo of the jar nestled in a bowl of oranges, alongside a handwritten letter, believed to be from Meghan who previously worked as a calligrapher.

Unlike some of the duchesses’ other friends, like her Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, Jenner didn’t pose in an elaborate photoshoot alongside the item, instead simply writing “thank you American Riviera Orchard” with a yellow love heart emoji.

This isn’t the first hint we’ve received that Meghan and the Kardashians are close, as her mother Doria Ragland has been pictured getting cozy with Kris and Kim in the past.

Meghan’s mother, with whom she has an incredibly close relationship, looked friendly with the momager and Kardashian matriarch and her second daughter Kim as they beamed for photos at a glitzy charity soiree for This is About Humanity in LA last summer.

The mother-of-one, grandmother to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, wore a vibrant paisley dress in beautiful shades of yellow, orange and pink.

Meanwhile, SKIMS founder Kim, 42, debuted a new hairstyle as she sported bangs and a ponytail while dressing in all black, while ‘Momager’ Kris, 67, was chic in a white suit.

As the trio posed for photos, they hugged and beamed as they looked very pale at each other.

While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex mingle with the Montecito elite, it seems their paths often cross with the Kardashians among mutual friends.

Last year, Harry and Meghan received enthusiastic cheers and applause when they attended a surprise vow renewal ceremony between Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia De Rossi.

The ceremony was held at their $70 million Montecito mansion — and was officiated by none other than Kris Jenner.

Harry and Meghan were on opposite sides of the group, which included Brandi Carlile and other friends and family of the famous couple.

Ellen, 65, appeared stunned when Portia entered the room in a wedding dress – and credited her wife with the ‘greatest gift’ for the surprise.

The couple has been married since 2008 and recently moved into the new Montecito mansion, just steps away from Harry and Meghan’s $14 million home.

Elsewhere, Meghan maintained her Kardashian connections last summer when she was spotted at Beyoncé concerts in LA.

The Duchess, who attended two LA dates during the singer’s Renaissance tour, was pictured partying in an exclusive box where she rubbed shoulders with VIPs including Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos – and Kris Jenner.

And it’s not just the Duchess with connections to the Kardashian empire; Prince Harry is known to work with them too.

Last month, the Daily Mail reported that the Duke of Sussex took a ski trip to Aspen, Colorado, in the company of businessman Corey Gamble, Kris Jenner’s longtime partner.

Corey, 43, has been dating for a decade and met after Kris split from her ex, now Caitlin Jenner.

A source said Harry had hit the slopes with Gamble, as well as Bumble dating app billionaire Whitney Wolfe, 34, and her husband Michael Herd, who she met on a previous ski trip.

They revealed: ‘Harry is skiing with Corey. During the day they are skiing and in the evening they go to one of the more famous speak-easies.’

As Meghan shares the first batch of American Riviera Orchard jam with her loved ones, those promoting the product are also hinting at her friendship group.

Another recipient of the jam is Chrissy Teigen, a model who owns the cooking brand Cravings, through which she has released several cookbooks.

Teigen, who is married to John Legend, posted a video on Instagram of herself in the kitchen with her eldest daughter Luna, making bacon and brie toasties with Meghan’s jam.

She wrote: ‘We jammin!! This might have been one of the best appetizers we’ve had all year – all we used is some rustic bread, salted butter, triple cream brie, thick cut bacon, and some American Riviera Orchard jam! lasted about 8 minutes total and made us happy all weekend.”

Chrissy has previously praised the former senior royal for being ‘amazing and so kind’ by sending her a touching letter during a difficult time losing her son Jack.

The model said on the Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen After Show: ‘She’s been so nice to me since we hooked up, she’d written to me about baby Jack and loss.

“She’s really wonderful and so kind, and just as nice as everyone says she is. She really is a great girl.’

As the Duchess’s friendship group evolves to include her Kardashian connections, PR gurus have suggested she has started ‘curating’ friends who fit her new ‘story’.

Mark Borkowski said: “Meghan’s circle proves that she has a profound influence and will continue to exist. The array of names surrounding her in this endeavor certainly speaks volumes about her evolving inner circle.

‘Mindy Kaling and Tracee Ellis Ross, it’s clear she’s curating a circle of influencers and creatives, signaling a shift toward a more culturally resonant vibe.

“As for those left out in the cold, it’s a curious mix of former confidantes and acquaintances who perhaps didn’t quite fit into the new narrative. It’s a strategic move that undoubtedly showcases Meghan’s knack for reinvention and seizing the news cycle.”