Small Town Can’t Afford to Sue Meghan Markle Over Logo

A small Spanish town has accused Meghan Markle of copying its historic coat of arms for her new lifestyle brand, but the town’s mayor admits they lack the resources to take legal action against the Duchess of Sussex.

A Royal Controversy Unfolds

Porreres, a picturesque village in Mallorca with a population of about 5,000, has been thrust into the global spotlight after residents noticed that Markle’s new brand, As Ever, features a logo strikingly similar to their town’s centuries-old emblem. Both designs prominently display a palm tree flanked by two birds.

Xisca Mora, the town’s mayor, didn’t mince words when addressing the controversy. “It is an exact copy of our coat of arms, which has represented Porreres since 1370,” Mora told Spanish media. “We are still a bit shocked. At first, we thought it was fake news.”

Despite the strong claims, Mora quickly acknowledged the limits of what her town can do. “Taking legal action is complicated and costly,” she said. “A small town council like ours is not in a position to fight against the English crown.”

A Matter of Identity and Heritage

For Porreres, the issue goes beyond legalities—it strikes at the heart of the town’s cultural heritage. “Every single town in Mallorca has its own symbol or coat of arms,” Mora explained. “It is very important to our identity, and people are upset that ours is being used to sell products like jam around the world.”

While the scandal has unexpectedly placed Porreres in the media spotlight, the mayor insists the town would rather have its emblem respected than gain attention from the controversy. “We want them to pull the logo,” she stated firmly.

The Sussex Response

So far, Meghan Markle has not directly addressed the allegations. However, a source close to the Sussexes told The New York Post that the logo was designed to reflect the couple’s life in California. “The palm tree represents their Montecito home, and the hummingbirds were included as a nod to Prince Harry’s fondness for them,” the insider claimed. “Comprehensive global searches of registered trademarks were conducted before finalizing the design.”

Prince Harry has previously shared his connection to hummingbirds, referencing them in his 2023 memoir Spare. He recalled a moment shortly after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II when a hummingbird entered their home. “A mate said: Could be a sign, you know? Visitors, as it were. Aztecs thought them reincarnated warriors. Spanish explorers called them ‘resurrection birds,’” Harry wrote.

A Pattern of Branding Struggles

Markle’s business ventures have encountered hurdles before. Her original lifestyle brand name, American Riviera Orchard, was scrapped due to trademark issues. Reports indicate that her application was rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, citing restrictions on branding geographical locations.

Meanwhile, an independent New York City clothing brand named As Ever has also expressed concerns over the duchess adopting the same name for her business, raising questions about potential trademark conflicts.

What Comes Next?

Despite the uproar in Porreres, legal action remains unlikely. Unless Markle voluntarily changes the logo, the town’s only recourse appears to be public pressure.

For now, the people of Porreres are left with a bitter realization: while they may have history on their side, they don’t have the resources to challenge royalty in court.

“We just hope they do the right thing,” Mayor Mora concluded.