Meghan Markle and Prince Harry withdraw Sussex Royal trademark applications

Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently said they have no future intention of using 'Sussex Royal' or any form of word 'Royal'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have officially withdrawn their applications to trademark “Sussex Royal” as part of their brand.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) confirmed to The Independent that two trademark applications made by the Sussex Foundation have "both been withdrawn".​

The couple’s plan to trademark “Sussex Royal” were first reported in December last year, weeks before they announced their wish to step down from their senior royal duties.

The trademark applications outlined their desire to use the “Sussex Royal” branding on a variety of products, including magazines, calendars and clothing, in addition to using it for services such as charitable fundraising, education and social care initiatives.

In January it was reported that the trademark application had been opposed by an Australian doctor.

Last week the couple published a statement on their website saying they have no intention on using “Sussex Royal” or any form of the word “Royal” “in any territory”.

Both applications – which outline trademark requests for “Sussex Royal The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex“ and “Sussex Royal” – have now had their statuses updated to “withdrawn”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are due to officially stand down as senior royals on 31 March.

On their website, which currently still goes by sussexroyal.com, the couple explained that a 12-month review will be undertaken once they commence their “revised role”.

They stated that the other members of the royal family “respect and understand” their desire to live a more independent life, and that they will become “privately funded members of the royal family with permission to earn their own income and the ability to pursue their own private charitable interests”.

During a recent appearance at a sustainable tourism conference in Edinburgh, the duke requested he be referred to simply as “Harry”.

Before he appeared on stage, former Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika introduced him by stating: “He’s made it clear that we are all just to call him Harry, so ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a big warm Scottish welcome... to Harry.”

On Friday 28 February, Prince Harry shared a video on Instagram showing him singing in a music booth alongside American musician Jon Bon Jovi.

The pair were at Abbey Road, where Bon Jovi was recording a charity single for the Invictus Games Foundation.

The Invictus Games, which were founded by Prince Harry in 2014, are due to take place in May in The Hague, The Netherlands.