There may be no fairytale happily ever after for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their commercial endeavours after multiple threats of opposition to their Sussex Royal trademark application.
Back in June 2019, the royal couple applied to trademark 'Sussex Royal', drawn from their Duke and Duchess and Sussex titles and the name of their Instagram account. Among the hundreds of goods and services the pair want the trademark to apply to are books, charitable campaigns, cultural events and pens.
But trouble may be brewing for the renegades, who recently abandoned their senior duties to become financially independent and spend time in Canada.
Earlier this week, a "notice of threatened opposition" was filed with the United Kingdom's Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), which, as the World Trademark Review (WTR) reports, could indicate a third-party wants to challenge the pair for the trademark. The notice means the trademark application period must be extended by a month.
However, a formal notice of opposition would still need to be lodged for a real challenge for the trademark.
WTR says the notice was filed by Melbourne doctor Benjamin Worcester, who confirmed to the outlet he filed it. The doctor also told The Sun he lodged the notice for "personal" reasons, but only hours later, he claimed an "imposter" - in the words of The Sun - was behind the notice. The UKIPO said the filer's "personal details have been used without their permission".
Investigating Worcester's claim an imposter was responsible, The Sun spoke to his brother, who said a mix-up must have happened.
Multiple other notices have now been filed, but it is unclear what their purpose is in opposing the trademark.
It comes as Meghan and Harry's commercial plans draw a lot of attention. There have been reports the pair could monetise their Sussex Royal brand or support themselves and their son Archie by Meghan returning to acting and voiceover work. They could also make money by providing interviews or appearing on speaking tours.
