Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard company is struggling to take off amid staffing issues and a refusal of her trademark application. On August 31, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejected the trademark because it heavily referenced Santa Barbara, where she lives with her husband, Prince Harry, and two children. The USPTO does not permit trademarks on geographical locations. The organization concluded that “a public association of the goods and services with the place is presumed” because “American Riviera” is included in the name.
Additionally, the firm’s official launch is further delayed by the departure of 18 staff members in quick succession, and reports that Markle is struggling to find a CEO. Media reports quote an inside source stating that the high number of staff members quitting “tells its own story.” The insider went on to declare that Meghan and Harry are difficult to work for and often make excessive demands of their staff.
Accusations of mistreating workers are not new for the Duchess of Sussex, and when she was in the UK, her communications director Jason Knauf was the first to accuse her of bullying in 2018. He told the media that two personal assistants had left the Royal household because of her behavior.
Markle fiercely rejected the bully characterization and said she was “saddened” by the “attack on her character.” Nevertheless, Royal expert and biographer Tom Bower said Knauf’s allegations were just the tip of the iceberg, and it would all eventually come out in the wash. “The trickle of information will, soon enough, become a stream,” he said.
Royal observers have also speculated that Markle did not get on well with Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, despite the united front the two women presented during their shared time as working Royals. Princess Kate is married to Prince Harry’s brother and future King, Prince William, and polls show she is by far the UK’s favorite Royal family member. However, it is widely believed that she did not get along with Meghan Markle, and some commentators have speculated that Markle was uncomfortable with the Princess of Wales’ senior status and the Royal hierarchical system.
