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Meghan Markle’s Family Moment Amid Brand Launches and Trademark Challenges
On Sunday, Meghan Markle took a break to enjoy some quality time with her children, Princess Lilibet, aged 3, and Prince Archie, aged 5, as they explored their garden, particularly admiring the roses.
Markle, 43, shared glimpses of this family moment on Instagram. Although the children’s faces were not fully visible, their striking red hair, reminiscent of their father, Prince Harry, was clearly showcased.
Family Joys Amid Public Scrutiny
In her Instagram caption, Markle expressed affection with the phrase, “Sunday kind of love….with my little loves,” while images captured her giggling with Lilibet as they picked pink blooms together. Archie also contributed by handing his mother a yellow flower that cleverly covered his face.
Earlier this month, Markle reintroduced her lifestyle brand, now named “As Ever,” almost a year after its initial title, “American Riviera Orchard.” This brand marks her foray into lifestyle products, with a launch that included items inspired by her interests in cooking and entertaining. The first collection featured limited quantities of various gourmet items such as a crêpe mix and honey, which sold out in under an hour.
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During a recent episode of her podcast, “Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan,” Markle elaborated on the decision to change her brand name, indicating that “American Riviera Orchard” felt like a “word salad” to her, a term she expressed discomfort with.
Markle faced a setback last September when her trademark application for the previous brand name was denied by the U.S. patent and trademark office. Concerns were raised regarding the use of geographical names in trademarks, as “American Riviera” is commonly linked to Santa Barbara, where the couple resides. Experts highlighted that the name change reflected a move to navigate trademark complications more effectively.
Trademark Turmoil
Despite the relaunch, experts noted that her team may have mishandled the trademark processes. Doug Eldridge, a branding specialist, commented that Markle’s explanations appeared more like excuses, diminishing her authenticity. He suggested that maintaining transparency might better resonate with her audience.
Markle’s team has faced competition for the brand name from the food retailer Harry & David, which claimed that “American Riviera Orchard” bore too much resemblance to their “Royal Riviera” line. Following this, Markle’s legal team requested an extension to address the trademark application issues, although earlier approaches had faced rejection due to procedural errors.
Experts attribute the trademark difficulties to Markle’s inexperience in this field. Hilary Fordwich, a royal commentator, stressed that authenticity and careful planning are crucial for her transition from celebrity to businesswoman, suggesting that her journey could benefit from a more grounded approach.
Having married Prince Harry in 2018 and stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Markle continues to navigate both family life and entrepreneurial pursuits amidst ongoing scrutiny and challenges.
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