The Prince and Princess of Wales have reapplied for US trademarks for their charity, sparking speculation among royal watchers of a “stateside turf war” with William’s estranged brother and his wife.

The “pending” application to the US Patent and Trademark Office by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales hints at potential charity events related to mental health.

“Printed matter, namely books, pamphlets, periodicals, newsletters, magazines, informational brochures, and reports, paper banners and printed posters … in relation to charitable activities in the field of mental health,” reads the application, which was submitted a year ago.

As of a September 5 update, “the trademark application has been accepted by the office (has met the minimum filing requirements) and that this application has been assigned to an examiner”.

‘Direct competition’

GB News points out William and Kate, both 42, “will now be in direct competition with the Archewell Foundation”, founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before their move to the US in 2020.

The Sussexes have worked hard in the past four years to establish their “power couple” brand in the US.

But in a never-ending game of one-upmanship, William and Kate’s plan has reportedly left Meghan “shocked”.

“Meghan was quite shocked when she found out that Kate and William plan to do more work in America after trademarking their foundation’s brand with authorities,” a source told OK!.

“Although they have made a couple of trips to the US, it’s not really part of their territory and now Meghan feels they could be moving in on her turf.”

History

The Royal Foundation was established in 2009 by William and Harry (with Kate joining in 2011).

Months after Harry announced his engagement to Meghan, they joined William and Kate at the first annual Royal Foundation forum in 2018.

It signalled a new era and the royals were dubbed the “Fab Four” but it soon fizzled and it ended up being the couples’ only charity appearance together.

William and Kate forged ahead with the Royal Foundation while the newly created Archewell Foundation in 2019 meant the Sussexes had their own patch.

Now, the two foundations may well collide in the US.

Harry, Meghan, Kate and William share the stage at the Royal Foundation Forum in 2018. Photo: Getty

Meghan ‘not ready’ for the royals

Meghan has a yet untitled cooking show in the works that will celebrate gardening, cooking, friendships and entertaining, she has her American Riviera Orchard website to launch and Netflix bosses say she and Harry have a “movie, a TV show and a couple of unscripted shows” in early development.

“Everyone will soon get to see her hard work,” the OK! source said.

“Meghan is just concerned that her big comeback could coincide with Kate and William’s visit to America, and she’s not sure she’s ready for that.”

Harry, 40, is rarely out of the media spotlight – including a visit this week to London. But the focus on him has increased since he began public appearances on his own, leaving Meghan, 43, at home in California with their two children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3.

“She feels a bit stuck at the moment,” the source claimed to OK!.

“Harry is really trying to make more of a life for himself and is finally comfortable in America and doesn’t always need Meghan by his side.”

Duke on the move

The duke was in New York last week, where he called on governments to work more closely with young people, warning about the online dangers children faced and criticising the leaders of social media companies for not doing more to protect them.

He appeared in a segment on the NBC flagship program The Tonight Show and then it was London for a WellChild charity event (he is the charity’s patron).

It is believed Harry didn’t see his father, the King, or his only sibling on the trip. Shortly after his outing for WellChild, he popped up in South Africa on a visit to his youth-focused charity Sentebale.

After London, Harry was swiftly off to South Africa and events for Sentebale. Photo: Getty

With Kate slowly resuming duties after revealing she had completed cancer treatment last month, veteran former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond played down the Wales’ US toehold.

“I don’t think we should read too much into this, as it has been suggested this is more a case of housekeeping, probably keeping the application within its legal time limits or something similar,” she told OK!.

“There doesn’t seem to be any imminent move to launch an American initiative … but there may be new plans afoot.”

Of Meghan, the OK! source said it “feels like another blow”.

“She already knows how popular Kate and William are in the US and with [the Sussexes’] own Hollywood popularity seemingly dwindling, she doesn’t feel comfortable with them making any trips across the pond right now because they will no doubt be a huge fanfare.”