英國王子哈利（Prince Harry）與妻子梅根（Meghan Markle）宣布要「財務獨立」並「半退出王室」的決定，不只造成自己家族內部撕裂，也再度引起夫婦倆最厭惡的小報媒體嗜血般的關注與追蹤。

現在，哈利與梅根要以「Sussex Royal（薩塞克斯王室）」為名，為上百項商品註冊商標，包括服飾、文具，並涉及情感支持團體等社福領域。

Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have been granted a trademark by the UK's Intellectual Property Office for their brand "Sussex Royal" https://t.co/KfHPaw62hS pic.twitter.com/qoX8FDm8CG

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) January 9, 2020

早有策畫

事實上，在哈利夫婦8日宣布決定後，「薩塞克斯王室」專屬網站隨即上線。他們也退出王室的慈善事業，成立了自己的慈善基金會「Sussex Royal the Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex」。

 

 

 

 

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“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image © PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 8, 2020 at 10:33am PST

《衛報》（The Guardian）報導，哈利與梅根2019年12月就以新創立的基金會為名，針對多項產品申請註冊商表，範圍涵蓋雜誌、賀卡等印刷品、運動服飾、睡衣等服裝、慈善基金和管理，以及組織情感支持團體等教育和社會服務。

報導指出，他們向世界智慧財產權組織（World Intellectual Property Organization，WIPO）申請的商標，適用於澳洲、加拿大、歐盟和美國。

商標遭提有疑義

就在哈利夫婦兩人註冊商標的報導出來沒多久，一位義大利居民Ui Phoenix Kerbl在9日提出上訴。根據資料庫顯示，該位人士在盥洗用品、運動用品、玩具和酒精飲料等商品註冊了跟薩塞克斯王室同樣的商標。

世界商標評論（World Trademark Review）指出，該義大利人士註冊的商品範圍並未與梅根兩人的重疊。

兩人註冊商品包括書籍出版和服飾等。（湯森路透）

首年可賺50萬英鎊

有些專家認為，哈利和梅根兩人淡出王室後第一年，可以靠這些產品賺進50萬英鎊（約新台幣1953萬元），尤以北美市場最有利可圖。

另有部分人士推測，哈利夫婦未來將跨足書籍出版或是販售慈善服飾，主打兩人關心的永續經營或是環境議題。另一可能性則是結合哈利與美國脫口秀主持人歐普拉（Oprah Winfrey）合作的紀錄片創造商業機會。該紀錄片聚焦在心理健康。