Yahoo News Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Can No Longer Use the "Sussex Royal" Brand
In January, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their dramatic announcement that they'd be stepping back from their roles as senior members of the royal family and seeking financial independence. On the same day, they launched the website, Sussexroyal.com, which featured the same name and visual branding as their existing Instagram account, @Sussexroyal.
But after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision, there were many details that still had to be worked out. Where would the couple and their son Archie live? What would their titles be? What royal duties, if any, would Harry and Meghan carry out?
Today, we learned one more crucial detail: They might be able to pursue their work through a foundation, but that entity will not be called the Sussex Royal Foundation, and the couple can no longer use "Sussex Royal," and have removed their application for a worldwide trademark on the brand. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess attributed the decision to government rules surrounding the use of the word "royal."
The full statement reads:
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. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘SussexRoyal’ in any territory post Spring 2020. Therefore the trademark applications that were filed as protective measures, acting on advice from and following the same model for The Royal Foundation, have been removed.
This news comes as critics have voiced concerns about whether Harry and Meghan will appear to be profiting off their royal affiliations, a major taboo for the Royal Family.
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.
You Might Also Like
