The Queen and Prince Charles have been selling products for years showcasing with the Royal Coat of Arms or other references to the Crown, royal expert Robert Lacey has noted. However, news Meghan and Prince Harry had filed trademark applications for a range of products under the name of their never-launched organisation, The Sussex Royal Foundation, had initially sent shockwaves across the country.
Similarly, Mr Lacey added, many royal watchers appeared worried about Meghan and Prince Harry’s deal with Netflix.
Discussing the deal with the streaming platform, the author of Battle of Brothers told Express.co.uk: “I think the deal Meghan and Harry have done with Netflix is quite respectable.
“They are going to make a lot of money for making a group of rather worthy, and perhaps even boring, documentaries for grown-ups and children.
“It is perfectly respectable.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have struck a deal with Netflix (Image: GETTY)
The Royal Collection shop is selling a gin made with herbs and flowers from Buckingham Palace (Image: GETTY)
“And actually, it is Buckingham Palace’s shops that sell shower caps with the Royal Coat of Arms, Buckingham Palace gin, Prince Charles sells Duchy biscuits…so it’s the pot calling the kettle black.
“The monarchy has stooped to all sorts of commercial devices.”
Over the summer, the Royal Collection Shop started selling a new gin made with herbs and flowers picked directly in the gardens of the Queen’s home in London.
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How does the Crown Estate work? (Image: EXPRESS)
The bottle bears the name of Buckingham Palace as well as a crown.
Prince Charles struck a deal with Waitrose in 1990 and set up a company called Duchy Originals Limited to sell a range of organic food and drinks produced in the Duchy of Cornwall.
These initiatives, Mr Lacey noted, are beneficial to both the Crown and taxpayers, as they bring more funds into the royals’ purses without the need to dip into the Sovereign Grant.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry now live in California (Image: GETTY)
Prince Charles founded the Duchy Originals Limited company in 1990 (Image: GETTY)
Meghan and Harry were barred from using the term ‘royal’ in their brand or any of their future enterprises after leaving the Royal Family as full-time working members.
This effectively put an end to their Sussex Royal Foundation, newly created website SussexRoyal.com and Instagram account.
Meghan and Harry issued a statement on their future use of the word ‘royal’, saying: “While The Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word ‘Royal’, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation will not utilise the name ‘Sussex Royal’ or any other iteration of ‘Royal.’
“For the above reason, the trademark applications that had been filed as protective measures and that reflected the same standard trademarking requests as done for The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been removed.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are no longer full-time working royals (Image: EXPRESS)
“While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020.”
The Sussexes’ financial independence, Mr Lacey believes, would only create a problem for the Crown if the couple were to expose any royal “taboos”.
He said: “The one question mark over the Sussexes’ deal with Netflix is whether it does contain, as it has been reported, plans for some sort of tell-all documentary.
“Harry and Meghan have denied they are doing a reality show.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have stepped down as senior royals (Image: GETTY)
“But that is slightly disingenuous, they have denied doing a reality show but not a documentary.
“And if they did do a documentary about how they left the Royal Family and why and how they are getting on away from the Royal Family, that could be the actual end, that could finalise the rift.
“That would finally break the taboos, it could be impossible for them to come back.”
In late September a source claimed to Meghan and Harry were to take part in a “reality show”, with cameras following the pair around to document their lives.
This show would be a docu-series heavily focused on the charitable work the pair carry out and the causes they back, the source added.
Shortly after, the Sussexes issued a statement saying: “The Duke and Duchess are not taking part in any reality shows.”
