Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is facing potential legal action from the Spanish town of Porreres in Mallorca, which claims that the logo for her newly rebranded lifestyle company, As Ever, bears a striking resemblance to the town’s historic coat of arms. The controversy has sparked debate over intellectual property rights and cultural heritage.
The Allegations
The town of Porreres has formally expressed concern over Markle’s As Ever logo, which features a palm tree flanked by two birds. The design is notably similar to Porreres’ official coat of arms, which dates back to 1370 and also includes a palm tree with two birds—specifically, swallows. Markle’s version replaces swallows with hummingbirds, but the overall composition remains almost identical.
Xisca Mora, the mayor of Porreres, has stated that the town is considering legal action and will request that Markle remove the logo due to its resemblance to their emblem. She emphasized the importance of the coat of arms to the town’s identity and history, arguing that its unauthorized use could misrepresent their cultural heritage.
“This coat of arms is a part of our town’s legacy. We will be requesting that the Duchess of Sussex change her brand’s image,” Mora said in a public statement.
The “As Ever” Rebranding
The controversy comes as Markle launches As Ever, a new lifestyle brand focusing on food, gardening, entertaining, and mindful living. The company is intended as an extension of her personal interests and lifestyle philosophy.
The rebranding follows Markle’s previous attempt to launch American Riviera Orchard, which faced trademark issues due to its use of a geographic location. After the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected that name, she pivoted to As Ever, a phrase she has often used in personal correspondence.
The brand’s visual identity, however, has now raised concerns of intellectual property infringement.
Legal and Public Reactions
1. Trademark Law Considerations
Legal experts note that if Porreres has officially registered its coat of arms as a protected trademark, the town may have grounds to demand changes to As Ever’s logo. However, if the emblem is not trademarked, pursuing legal action could be more difficult.
Intellectual property lawyer Carl Hughes explained:
“While historical symbols are culturally significant, legal protection depends on their registration as trademarks. If the coat of arms is not officially registered, the town may struggle to claim exclusive rights over the design.”
2. Branding Experts’ Take
Marketing specialists have pointed out that while brands often draw inspiration from various sources, direct similarities can lead to disputes. Some argue that Markle’s team should have conducted a more thorough design audit to avoid any resemblance to existing emblems.
“It’s not uncommon for branding elements to have similarities, but when it comes to royal figures or celebrities, scrutiny is much higher,” said brand consultant Emily Carter.
3. Public Response
The news has generated mixed reactions from the public. Some critics have accused Markle of cultural appropriation, arguing that she should have done more research before finalizing her brand’s identity. Others see the controversy as an overreaction, suggesting that the similarities are coincidental and not legally significant.
Social media users have debated the issue, with some defending Markle and others supporting the town’s claim.
What’s Next?
Mayor Xisca Mora has confirmed that the town council is reviewing legal options and will send an official request to Markle’s team to reconsider the logo. Whether Markle’s brand will face an actual lawsuit remains unclear, but the dispute has already brought significant media attention to both As Ever and the small town of Porreres.
For now, Meghan Markle has not publicly responded to the allegations. As the situation develops, her brand may either defend its logo or opt for a redesign to avoid further controversy.
FAQs
1. Why is Porreres considering legal action against Meghan Markle?
The Spanish town believes that Markle’s As Ever logo closely resembles their historic coat of arms, which dates back to 1370. They argue that the palm tree and bird design is too similar to their official emblem.
2. What does the As Ever logo look like?
Markle’s logo features a palm tree with two hummingbirds, a design that bears a strong resemblance to the Porreres coat of arms, which includes a palm tree and two swallows.
3. Has Meghan Markle responded to the allegations?
As of now, Markle has not publicly commented on the accusations.
4. Could Porreres successfully sue Markle’s brand?
If the town has trademarked its coat of arms, it could have a strong legal case. If not, legal experts say it may be difficult to enforce ownership over the design.
5. What is the next step in this dispute?
Porreres plans to formally request that Markle change the logo. If no resolution is reached, they may pursue legal action.
