Meghan Markle, has been embroiled in a logo dispute with the mayor of a quaint Mallorcan town who claims her new lifestyle brand’s emblem is an “exact copy” of their coat of arms.
On Tuesday, the Duchess of Sussex announced she was renaming her brand to “As Ever” on Instagram, alongside a rare snapshot of her daughter Lilibet.
Featuring a palm tree and two birds, the logo bears a remarkable resemblance to the emblem belonging to the town of Porreres – a situation the town’s mayoress finds “surreal”.
Xisca Mora, speaking to EL PAÍS, acknowledged they lack the resources to wage a legal battle over plagiarism but are nonetheless insisting the logo be withdrawn, the Mirror reports.
Dating back to 1370, the heraldic coat of arms represents more than just an image for Porreres – it’s woven into its heritage and cultural identity.
Mora conveyed the challenges faced: “To sue for plagiarism is complicated and costly, and a small town council like ours is not in a position to fight against the English crown.”
Initially taken lightly as the mayoress revealed to Vanitatis, they were puzzled by the motive behind replicating Porreres’ arms, now they seek clarification and resolution.
The launch of the website for Markle’s venture showcases the duchess and her three-year-old daughter strolling together amidst palm trees, an idyllic scene that contrasts sharply with the unfolding controversy.
It has been revealed that the new logo incorporates a palm tree, symbolising The Duke and Duchess’s residence in California, as well as featuring two hummingbirds which are known to be a favoured motif of Prince Harry.
Encapsulating these elements is a distinctive shape, deliberately crafted to form a one-of-a-kind and intimate emblem.
According to reports, extensive international searches were conducted to ensure the uniqueness of registered trademarks as part of the creation process.
Discussing the debut product launched by her company last year – a limited edition strawberry jam – Meghan humorously remarked: “Of course there will be fruit preserves, I think we’re all clear at this point that jam is my jam.”
She went on to express excitement about introducing further items: “But there’s so many more products that I just love that I use in my home and now it’s time to share it with you, so I can’t wait for you to see it.”
Drawing attention to another parallel, Ms Mora observed that jam is also a signature produce of her locality. Referring to Porrerers, she confidently stated that they boast “the best jam in the world” and underscored that “the farmers will be happy” should Meghan decide to venture into its marketing.
Ms Mora expressed contentment with the unintentional promotion arising from Meghan’s rebranding efforts but noted that the coat of arms isn’t the sole similarity attributed to the rebrand.
She noted that the brand’s promotional image is deeply connected with the Mallorcan vista. She highlighted: “On the front page of the website there is a palm tree that is typical of Mallorca because it doesn’t grow anywhere else”.
The mayoress has conceded that a legal fight is beyond her budget but is content with the “free publicity” it’s brought, even extending an invitation to Meghan Markle to visit her quaint town.
She explained the decision by saying: “Tracking them down would be unfeasible. It would be a very complex process, and we cannot afford it,” citing counsel from the town’s legal advisors.
She playfully suggested: “If she wants, we can invite her to the patron saint’s fiestas and let her be the hostess.”