Following her public cancer update earlier this month, Kate Middleton has quietly resumed work and made significant strides towards her future role in the US.
Last week, six months after her initial diagnosis announcement and temporary withdrawal from royal duties, she held a meeting at Windsor Castle with members of her Centre for Early Childhood team, subtly indicating her return.
It has now been revealed that Kate and William have recently submitted an important official document to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, preparing for the official launch of their royal foundation charity over in the States.
The inclusion of “healthcare services relating to mental health” in their trademark application suggests a clear overlap between the royal couple’s charity and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation, potentially leading to a turf war across the pond.
A source told OK! Magazine: “Meghan was quite shocked when she found out that Kate and William plan to do more work in America after trademarking their foundation’s brand with authorities,” adding, “Although they have made a couple of trips to the US, it’s not really part of their territory and now Meghan feels they could be moving in on her turf.”
Kate and William both put in for a trademark last May, as revealed by documents obtained by OK!, aiming to cover an assortment of goods and services under their Foundation including charitable fundraising, educational efforts and “Healthcare services relating to mental health”.
Meghan and Harry, on the other hand, are making strides with their Archewell Foundation, proclaiming its mission to “show up, do good”, and leading projects like the welcome project that launched last year to assist refugee Afghan women’s resettlement in the US.
Adding to the intrigue, a legal move back in 2012 to secure “The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry” was instigated by the same lawyers behind Kate and Williams recent filing. Yet, this earlier bid was dropped in 2019, just one year before Harrys relocation to California with Meghan.
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Despite the seeming overlap, an insider claims Meghan suspects her sister-in-law and her husband are invading her turf; however, evidence indicates their American venture had been in the works well ahead of her taking the stage.
“Kate and William want their mental health foundation to be a worldwide brand and know they could do a lot of work in America – this is where Kate’s passions lie,” an inside source remarked. “For Meghan, it just feels like another blow, as Harry is making more of a life for himself in America and doing big events without her, like the one he did in New York last week.”
“And she already knows how popular Kate and William are in the US and with their own Hollywood popularity seemingly dwindling, she doesn’t feel comfortable with them making any trips across the pond right now because they will no doubt be a huge fanfare.”
While the timing of their next stateside visit remains uncertain, particularly as Kate focuses on regaining strength post-chemotherapy, Harry and Meghan continue to dominate the scene there.
Just last week, Prince Harry gave an emotive address at the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 event, promoting Archewell’s initiative for safeguarding children from social media risks; days before, he had been at a high-level gathering organised by WHO, championing the cause to end violence against kids.
A source has revealed that Meghan Markle is “very proud” of Prince Harry as he becomes more settled in America, yet she harbours concerns about what lies ahead.
“She feels a bit stuck at the moment,” they disclosed. “Harry is really trying to make more of a life for himself and is finally comfortable in America and doesn’t always need Meghan by his side, like he did at the start of their move, and it’s hard for Meghan to take.”
“But he knows how exciting her new projects are and that everyone will soon get to see her hard work. Meghan is just concerned that her big comeback could coincide with Kate and William’s visit to America and she’s not sure she’s ready for that.”
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