Kate Middleton may be the style icon du jour, but fashion companies hoping to cash in on her name are being warned they risk legal action.
Although Kate does not wed Prince William until April 29 this year, rules which prevent suggesting any member of the Royal Family has endorsed a product have already been extended to her.
According to The Daily Mail, courtiers are planning to warn businesses that they risk infringing copyright and trademark rules if they use her full name.
A royal aide told the paper: “It is highly unlikely that we would have any objection if a company wanted to call a dress ‘the Kate dress’. ‘Kate’ isn’t specific to Catherine Middleton. It may, however, be a different scenario if it was called the ‘Catherine/ Kate Middleton dress’ as that impacts… on personal copyright. Or indeed if a company was suggesting a dress was officially endorsed by Catherine.”
Brand Kate has become a major money-spinner since she announced her engagement to Prince William in November.
The royal blue Issa dress she wore for the announcement sold out within a day, and copycat versions by high street stores Tesco and Peacocks flew off the shelves.
More recently the £159 Reiss Nanette gown which she wore for the couple’s Mario Testino-shot engagement photos appeared on ebay for £370. The store is now planning to re-issue the sold-out dress.
Prince Charles should abdicate the throne as soon as possible, he’s not “King” material.
King William and Queen Kate.