Setback for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as trademark application for their Archewell foundation is rejected

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s application to trademark their new charitable organisation Archewell has been rejected.

Documents seen by The Sun UK reveal that Harry and Meghan’s application was turned down because they did not sign the document and they did not pay all the required fees.

The paperwork, which was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on March 3, was also said to be “too vague”.

The couple, whose documents were filed by the Delaware-based law firm Cobblestone Lane LLC, have since been sent an “Irregularity Notice” by the patent examiner at the USPTO.

The examiner was asked to review the application for the non-profit organisation, which the couple had hoped to launch this year, on May 26 and has since sent a number of changes which need to be made by their lawyer, Marjorie Witter Norman, by August 22.

The notice reads: “The wording ‘providing a website featuring content relating to philanthropy, monetary giving, volunteer and career opportunities’ in International Class 35 is also indefinite and over-broad, and must be clarified to specify the nature of the content provided.”

The examiner added: “The application was unsigned, resulting in the application not being properly verified.”

Following the notice, a Non-Final Action was sent to the couple on June 2, and their trademark will be held without being active until the necessary amendments are made.

The couple will also have to pay additional fees to have their paperwork processed.

This setback comes months after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they look forward to getting started with the foundation, which will replace their Sussex Royal brand.