Meghan Markle's Sussex Royal brand dreams shattered as Queen drafts in top lawy

[Cocopops]

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Meghan Markle's Sussex Royal brand dreams shattered as Queen drafts in top lawyers

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been told they cannot defy the monarch's ban and keep using Sussex Royal as the Queen makes an unprecedented move outlining the case enshrined in UK law banning the use of the word 'royal' for financial gain
 
By Russell Myers
Christopher Bucktin United States Editor
21:59, 21 FEB 2020 Updated12:19, 22 FEB 2020

The Duchess of Sussex’s dream of keeping the royal name in her and Prince Harry’s branding was last night shattered after the Queen brought in top lawyers to block it.  Meghan had reportedly been advised she could defy the monarch’s ban and stick with Sussex Royal after they go their own way as an independent couple on March 31.  But in an unprecedented move, the Queen called on her senior legal ­advisers to outline the case enshrined in UK law banning the use of the word “royal” for financial gain.  It means they cannot use Sussex Royal on merchandising, despite having already spent thousands on doing just that on a range of goods from T-shirts to bandanas and literature. They will also have to choose a new name for their planned charitable foundation, which was due to using the label.  But experts warn there is nothing the Queen can do if Harry and Meghan choose to use Sussex Royal in the US to cash in on their connections although they could have faced legal challenges from people who have ­registered the title there.  Buckingham Palace clarified the ­situation last night as tensions continued to grow between both camps.  A spokesman for Harry and Meghan said: “While the duke and duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word royal, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation when it is announced this spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation.  They do not intend to use Sussex Royal in any territory.  Therefore the trademark applications that were filed as protective measures have been removed.”

On Tuesday it was revealed the Queen and senior courtiers agreed Meghan, 38, and ­35-year-old Harry could no longer keep the word royal in their branding.  But it was claimed the duchess told friends there is nothing “legally ­stopping” her and her husband using the Sussex Royal name, despite the ban.  The couple’s Instagram page, which has 11.2 million followers, and a web page carry the logo. According to a US website, a friend of the duchess said: “Meghan said the global projects they are working on speak for themselves and they chose that name to protect the royal name, not profit off it.  Meghan said the name of their brand pales in comparison to the ­foundation they are building and the ­enormously positive impact it will have on people.”

Brodie Cooper, of US media marketing and communications group PRrppd, said: “The Sussex Royal branding, like any other direct connection to the Royal Family, brings enormous kudos and status to the table. The Queen removing that name is a blow.”

US trademark lawyer Eric Perrott said the Queen would struggle to stop Harry and Meghan using the name there.  He added: “There are restrictions on the word royal in UK law, but not in the US. There are almost 2,000 ­registered trademarks containing the word royal for a variety of goods.  As far as the Royal Family’s ability to stop them from protecting a trademark in the US, it is very unlikely. The bigger issue is likely the ­registered trademark for the word Sussex. If theirs is confusingly similar, they [Harry and Meghan] could have infringement liability.”

The US Patent and Trademark Office has received eight applications to register the Sussex Royal brand.  Some experts claim Harry and Meghan’s earnings as a private couple could top £100 million.

[PippaJane]

I wonder how they will cope with life as 'ordinary' members of the public and I believe they should pay for their own security.  Sadly al because Prince Harry and Archie are royalty by birth they will get it paid or at least most of it paid either by the taxpayers or the royal family.  I am a royalist although I wouldn't want to be a member of the royal family as they are always in the public eye it's wrong that Meghan and Harry seem to want it both ways without any responsibility.  They both need to grow up and start taking responsibility for their own actions.