Meghan Markle has suffered another blow as she tries to get her eagerly-awaited lifestyle brand up and running.

The Duchess of Sussex revealed her new brand American Riviera Orchard earlier this year when a new website and Instagram page were unveiled to much fanfare. But despite the initial announcement, her wares have been shared only with celebrity friends, who showcased her American Riviera Orchard jam on social media in April.

So far, products have not been available yet to buy on the site and last month, it emerged her application to have her brand trademark had been rejected. She was then given three months to respond to the “nonfinal officer action” issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She has been warned that failure to do so could result in her application being abandoned.

And now it seems she has encountered another stumbling block as a protest against trademarking the brand has been lodged with the USPTO by the owners of the ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark.

The ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark is owned by Harry & David, a US-based premium food and gifts retailer, for its ‘Royal Riviera Pears’, which are grown in the state of Oregon. The letter of protest, seen by The Mirror says there is a ‘likelihood of confusion’ and the case has now been referred to Marco Wright, the Trademark Office’s examining attorney.

A trademark application for American Riveria Orchard first submitted on February 2 outlined plans to sell kitchenware, drinkware and jams under the name American Riviera Orchard, which has yet to put a single product on sale seven months after its Instagram launch. It was filed with USPTO by the company Mama Knows Best, LLC.

Two further applications connected with American Riviera Orchard have been filed by the company so far. Mama Knows Best, LLC, is registered at the same Beverly Hills address as Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Organisation.

A US source told the Mirror last month: “The process for acquiring a trademark is extremely rigorous. It would be a surprise if Meghan had not received one before in trying to get her application through. She is still very much committed to her brand and has three months to respond. There is no way this will lead to abandonment.”

The news comes after a pal spoke out about Prince Harry and Meghan going through a major shift – amid their telling solo appearances. Several years ago, Meghan once described her and Harry as like “salt and pepper” as they always “move together”. And with this seemingly not happening in recent weeks since their tour of Colombia in August, it has led many to wonder why this might be the case.

According to a source close to the couple, the reason for the solo appearance is down to a shift in their ventures. The pal told People magazine: “It’s clear that a twin-track approach is evolving.” While another pal added: “The Duke and Duchess have now hit their stride as individuals – not just as a couple. The Duke appears focused on his patronage work, and the Duchess focused on her entrepreneurial track.”

“An entrepreneurial and enterprise focus is going to be more the Duchess’s priority and the Duke will continue to champion his not-for-profit patronages. But there will be joint efforts around those cause-driven areas of work.” And with Meghan’s absence in recent weeks, the friend addressed her staying behind the scenes saying it far from signals a split. They added: “[It’s] as much a reflection on parenting priorities, in that one of them stays behind with the children.”