Think Meghan Markle has run out of ways to stir things up, here we are with another colossal headline. We’re talking about a serious legal battle brewing in Montecito.
Remember when Meghan and Prince Harry decided to step back from the royal family? Meghan famously declared, “You don’t own the royals!” Imagine the sheer audacity. Can you imagine what the late Queen Elizabeth might have thought of such a statement? This is precisely what we’re digging into today.
What makes this latest story even more astonishing is how Meghan seemingly took advantage of our gracious Queen Elizabeth, who was always the picture of grace and kindness. The idea that anyone could tell her she didn’t have the right to protect her family’s legacy is mind-boggling. But, as they say, karma has a funny way of catching up, and now Meghan seems to be caught in quite a predicament.
Here’s where things get juicy. The company Harry & David, a well-established brand since 1934, owns the trademark Royal Riviera. Naturally, they were not thrilled when Meghan launched a new venture with the suspiciously similar name, American Riviera Orchard. While she may not have used the word “royal” this time, it’s evident she’s still leveraging her past connections to the royal brand.
If you search “Royal Riviera,” guess what pops up? That’s right – Meghan’s latest project. And if that wasn’t enough, her new Instagram account managed to amass 600,000 followers overnight. But here’s the kicker – sources suggest that 80% of those followers might not be real, leaving the actual follower count closer to under 100,000. What happened to the millions of followers on the Sussexes’ former social media? Why didn’t they follow this new venture? Smoke and mirrors, perhaps?
Let’s talk about Harry & David for a moment. This is a company with a solid history, beautiful products, and a stellar reputation. They didn’t file a casual complaint; they launched a formal dispute with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and are considering a full-scale lawsuit to prevent Meghan from using the word Riviera in her branding. This development could cause significant damage to Harry & David’s bottom line, as their customers now have to sift through Meghan’s brand to find the original Royal Riviera products.
It’s fascinating to recall that Queen Elizabeth once gave Meghan a choice: she could use the term “Royal” in her branding or keep her Duchess title – but not both. Meghan chose the title. Despite all her talk, it seems she still values the connection to royalty.
And let’s not forget the real people affected by this branding battle – the employees of Harry & David who have worked hard to build a reputable brand, only to see it diluted by this new rivalry.
Meanwhile, where does Prince Harry stand in all of this? My sources say he’s becoming more and more isolated while Meghan charges full speed ahead with these ventures. Reportedly, he’s in Montecito, watching his inheritance fund these repeated business missteps, likely wondering how his life came to this point. It’s a stark contrast from his former reputation as one of the most popular royals.
While Meghan’s ventures repeatedly miss the mark, we see other royals, like Catherine and William, demonstrating real dedication to public service. Catherine remains a beacon of grace, focusing on her family and royal duties. It’s a level of class and commitment that stands in stark contrast to Meghan’s approach to public life.
So, what’s next for Meghan and this branding battle? If Harry & David succeed in blocking her from using the word Riviera, what will that mean for her brand? Will she be forced to rebrand yet again, or is this the end of another venture?
As always, there’s more happening behind the scenes, and the atmosphere in Montecito is electric. The local community isn’t exactly rallying behind Meghan either – they’re reportedly siding with Harry & David.
And as for Harry? Whispers around Montecito suggest he’s beginning to realize that some decisions can’t be undone, and certain bridges may never be rebuilt.
