Meghan Markle has found herself at the center of yet another controversy following the rebranding of her lifestyle company.
The Duchess of Sussex, who recently changed her brand’s name from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever, is now facing multiple accusations of plagiarism and legal challenges.
The first blow came from Francisca Mora Veny, the mayor of Porreres, Mallorca, who accused Meghan of copying the town’s coat of arms for her brand’s logo.
The striking resemblance has sparked debate over whether the former actress borrowed the design without proper authorization.
However, Meghan’s troubles didn’t stop there. Shortly after the unexpected name change, a clothing business with the same name, As Ever, issued a strong statement calling out the Duchess for what appears to be a name conflict.
Mark Kolski, the designer behind As Ever, a clothing brand established in 2015, took to Instagram to address the issue. He expressed gratitude for the support from longtime customers and subtly criticized Meghan’s rebranding efforts.
“I want to say thank you to all the old friends who know and love our small family brand As Ever, and also say hi to all those that have just become aware we exist,” Kolski wrote in his statement.
He continued, “In the last 36 hours, there has been an outpouring of support and concern regarding recent events around our namesake brand.”
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While Kolski did not directly accuse Meghan of trademark infringement, his statement hinted at frustration over the situation. He concluded with a defiant message, saying, “We will continue As Ever.”
As of now, Meghan and her team have not responded to Kolski’s claims, but the backlash is growing. Legal experts believe that trademark disputes could arise, especially if Meghan plans to expand her brand into clothing, which directly competes with Kolski’s business.
This controversy follows weeks of mixed reactions to Meghan’s business comeback, with critics accusing her of attempting to capitalize on her royal title despite previously stepping away from the monarchy.
Meanwhile, fans of Meghan are calling the backlash “overblown,” arguing that brand name similarities are common and that she is simply trying to build a successful business.
Regardless of the intentions behind the rebrand, this latest scandal could pose significant challenges for Meghan’s entrepreneurial ambitions, especially if legal action is pursued.
For now, all eyes are on Meghan’s next move—will she respond to the criticism, or will she be forced to change her brand name once again.
