Meghan Markle accused of copying Spanish coat of arms for logo — but town admits they can’t afford to sue

The Duchess of Sussex has rebranded her lifestyle company under the new name, As Ever. Meghan Markle has been accused of copying a small Mallorcan town’s coat of arms in her rebrand, but the village’s mayor confessed they can’t afford to sue her. The brand is now named As Ever. She also introduced a new logo for the company comprised of a palm tree with two hummingbirds flapping their wings on either side of it.

However, a small Mallorcan village, Porreres, in Spain is now hitting back at Meghan’s logo, over similarities with the town’s official symbol. Porreres’ coat of arms also features a palm tree, with two swallows on each side. However, she confessed that Porreres does not have the financial backing to sue Meghan over the logo.

“Reporting plagiarism is complicated and expensive and a small town hall like ours is not in a position to fight against the English crown,” she explained. Mora said she plans to ask Meghan’s company to remove the logo as the design has been a meaningful symbol for Porreres since 1370. The mayor also noted that their coat of arms has been carved into many different buildings in the small town.

“We are still a bit shocked, we thought it was fake news at first, we didn't know what was happening,” Mora said. “Then loads of newspapers and media started calling us and we realized it was serious.”. She once again expressed how the similarities between the two designs are “undeniable.” Mora acknowledged that while the birds and colors on each design are different, the two things are still “nearly identical.”.

Speaking to The Independent, a representative for Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, defended her brand’s decision to use the logo. “The logo incorporates a palm tree as a nod to The Duke and Duchess’ home in California, along with two hummingbirds — a favorite of Prince Harry’s,” they said in the statement. “The distinct shape enclosing the birds and tree was intentionally designed to create a unique and personal emblem. As part of the process, comprehensive global searches of registered trademarks were conducted.”.

“In the last 36 hours there has been an outpouring of support and concern regarding recent events around our namesake brand. We are aware. We are not affiliated,” the company’s owner, Mark Kolski, wrote in the post’s caption. “This new venture has the power and money of Netflix behind it,” he told the outlet. “Even if I wanted to do something I don’t think I have the behemoth of lawyers and money that are behind this.”.

“I’m shocked we’ve kept this a secret for so long. In two weeks my show is coming out, which I’m so excited for. And also my business, which I think there has been a lot of curiosity about,” she said. “Last year, I had thought, ‘American Riviera, that sounds like such a great name.’ It’s my neighborhood; it’s a nickname for Santa Barbara, but it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area.”.

She was told she cannot have exclusive rights to the name ‘American Riviera’ because it’s a commonly used place name to describe where she and Harry live in Santa Barbara. The addition of the word ‘Orchard’ reportedly made little difference to this dispute.