Did Meghan Markle copy new brand logo?
What's the story
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is staring at a lawsuit over her new brand logo for As Ever. The logo has been accused of plagiarizing a Spanish coat of arms.
Xisca Mora, the mayor of Porreres—a town in Mallorca—is reportedly mulling suing Markle for this alleged infringement.
Mora is consulting with the legal services of the Consistory to determine an appropriate course of action at the municipal level, reported Ara Balears, per Page Six.
Logo controversy
Markle's logo and Porreres's coat of arms: A comparison
The coat of arms of Porreres has a palm tree in the center with two birds flying toward it.
Markle's logo for As Ever is eerily similar, only differing in color—it's black and white—and it's unclear if the birds are of the same species.
Despite the controversy, Mora has been hopeful that this may bring global attention to her small town, which has a population of about 5,000 people.
Brand evolution
Markle's brand transition and logo significance
Markle, 43, recently rebranded her lifestyle company American Riviera Orchard to As Ever. The new name was announced on Instagram, days ahead of her Netflix show (With Love, Meghan) debut.
Along with the announcement, Markle launched a new website for the brand with the disputed logo on its homepage.
A source close to Markle told Page Six that the logo has special meaning for the Sussexes, incorporating elements symbolic of their life in California.
Symbolic elements
Personal significance of logo elements for the Sussexes
The source explained that the palm tree in the logo is a tribute to the Sussexes's home in California.
The two hummingbirds are reportedly Prince Harry's favorite.
"The distinct shape enclosing the birds and tree was intentionally designed to create a unique and personal emblem," added the insider.
This isn't Markle's first encounter with plagiarism accusations. She faced similar claims in 2018 when she released a children's book with a title and artwork resembling those of a British author.