Meghan Markle dealt fresh blow over American Riviera Orchard as she asks for ‘more time’

has been dealt a fresh blow over American Riviera Orchard as she asks for “more time” with trademark application.

The 43-year-old’s legal team has reportedly asked for extra time to try and secure a trademark for her lifestyle brand and to officially get the project underway.

Meghan is known to have previously applied for trademark for American Riviera Orchard with the US Patent and Trademark Office but this application was declined due to issues with the filing in August.

She was then given three months to correct this, to which Meghan has now requested extra time to complete the process.

As reported by , another company – called ‘Royal Riviera’ – also challenged the application set forward by Meghan.

She has been told she can’t have exclusive rights to ‘American Riviera’ due to this being a commonly used place name to describe the California coast where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live.

A source close to the couple previously told the that some back and forth with USPTO is “routine and expected when filing for trademarks” and that it was believed Meghan would be filing response with the office soon.

Meghan and Harry have also reportedly “struggled” to find a CEO for Meghan’s new brand. Sources close to Meghan have, however, insisted that she is happy running the business by herself.

Although Meghan has not officially launched her brand, she previously sent jars of jam – complete with the American Riveria Orchard’s logo on them – to close friends and influencers. American Riviera Orchard was inspired by Harry and Meghan’s Californian mansion – which they share with their two children.

Alongside her brand, Meghan is gearing up to release a lifestyle show which will “celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship” and is part of Meghan and Harry’s multi-million-pound deal.