Meghan Markle’s upcoming podcast has been called out for its similarities to another podcast.
On Thursday, the Duchess of Sussex announced on Instagram that she would be launching a podcast starting on April 8, titled Confessions of a Female Founder. On it, she plans to speak to other female business owners about how they became successful, as Meghan plans to do the same with her own business.
However, people were quick to turn to X to point out that there is a podcast called Confessions of a CEO, on which Kelci Borges talks about her experience of “being a female founder.” There is also another podcast called Confessions of a Founder by Alysha M. Campbell and a YouTube series titled Confessions of a Female Founder by YouTuber Kady Méite.
“Stealing ideas again,” someone wrote on X, alongside a screenshot of one of Méite’s videos.
Another person agreed, writing, “Well… That didn’t take long to figure out where Meghan Markle STOLE the idea for @LemonadaMedia. Shame on Meghan Markle for always STEALING ideas from Women & passing it off as her own.”
“More like I confess from who I stole my business ideas,” a third person posted on X.
However, speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle Méite acknowledged that while she appreciates her fans looking out for her, she acknowledges that “coincidences” also happen. “I completely understand why people are drawing connections, and I truly appreciate the support and understand their intention. But I also understand coincidences as well,” she said. “It is highly unlikely Meghan even came across my channel but I am flattered by the thought.”
“What does concern me is how quickly this is turning into another reason to drag a woman down. That’s not something I want to contribute to. I know firsthand what it feels like to have my work actually copied...this isn’t that,” she added.
This isn’t the first time Meghan has been accused of reusing brand names and logos that another company previously had.
Last month, she was accused of copying a small Majorcan town’s coat of arms in her rebrand, As Ever, but the village’s mayor confessed they couldn’t afford to sue her. The news came shortly after she announced the relaunch of her lifestyle business after running into difficulties with the former American Riviera Orchard’s trademarking.
In addition to changing her brand’s name, she also introduced a new logo for the company comprised of a palm tree with two hummingbirds flapping their wings on either side of it.
However, a small Majorcan village, Porreres, in Spain, spoke out about Meghan’s logo, mentioning similarities with the town’s official symbol. Porreres’ coat of arms also features a palm tree, with two swallows on each side.
Speaking to El País, the mayor of the municipality, Xisca Mora, claimed that As Ever’s logo “is a total copy” of Porreres’ coat of arms. Mora then also met with the legal service of the city council to discuss the next steps to handle the situation.
However, she confessed that Porreres does not have the financial backing to sue Meghan over the logo.
“Reporting plagiarism is complicated and expensive, and a small town hall like ours is not in a position to fight against the English crown,” she explained.
Mora said she planned to ask Meghan’s company to remove the logo as the design has been a meaningful symbol for Porreres since 1370. The mayor also noted that their coat of arms has been carved into many different buildings in the small town.
Speaking to The Independent, a representative for Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, defended her brand’s decision to use the logo.
“The logo incorporates a palm tree as a nod to The Duke and Duchess’s home in California, along with two hummingbirds — a favorite of Prince Harry’s,” they said in the statement.
“The distinct shape enclosing the birds and tree was intentionally designed to create a unique and personal emblem. As part of the process, comprehensive global searches of registered trademarks were conducted.”
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