Everything just stolen? Duchess Meghan Markle could be in real trouble

Porreres (Mallorca/Spain) - Duchess Meghan Markle (43) has decided to redesign her own brand. She is starting with the name and company logo, but it bears a suspicious resemblance to a Spanish city coat of arms.

Duchess Meghan Markle (43) announced the big relaunch of her own lifestyle brand on Instagram.
Duchess Meghan Markle (43) announced the big relaunch of her own lifestyle brand on Instagram.  © Fotomontage: instagram.com/meghan, asever.com

It was only on Wednesday that the US native announced the "relaunch" of her own brand to her fans on the social media platform Instagram.

In addition to the post, she also launched a new Instagram profile and her own website, but some people quickly noticed something. The logo of "As Ever" looks exactly like the coat of arms of the small Spanish town of Porreres!

As the Spanish newspaper"Tot pla" reports, it didn't take long for the first users on Instagram and Twitter to accuse the Duchess of plagiarism.

The logo of her new brand features a palm tree and two hummingbirds. On the other side is the coat of arms of the Spanish town of Porreres on Mallorca.

This also shows a palm-like tree, popularly known as a "fasser", and two swallows, also known as "passerines".

Confusingly similar: on the left, the logo of Meghan Markle's "As Ever" brand. On the right, the coat of arms of the small Spanish town of Porreres.
Confusingly similar: on the left, the logo of Meghan Markle's "As Ever" brand. On the right, the coat of arms of the small Spanish town of Porreres.  © Screenshot: youtube.com/@ThinkBeautiful-4eva

Name of the lifestyle brand was previously too misleading

Before Meghan Markle (43) renamed her brand "As Ever", it was called "American Riviera Orchard" - named after her home on the American coast.
Before Meghan Markle (43) renamed her brand "As Ever", it was called "American Riviera Orchard" - named after her home on the American coast.  © Richard Shotwell/Invision via AP/dpa

Previously, the Duchess' lifestyle brand was called "American Riviera Orchard". However, the US Patent Office had a problem with this.

The name "American Riviera" was misleading for many Americans. This name stands for a stretch of coastline where Harry and Meghan also happen to own a house.

According to the court, products sold by a brand with this name must also come from this region. The Duchess was unable to fulfill this requirement.

The 43-year-old therefore decided to simply rename her brand, and so "American Riviera Orchard" quickly became "As Ever".

What happens next with the brand remains to be seen. The Duchess has not yet commented on the allegations.