Meghan Markle sparks speculation of The Tig return with trademark bid

Meghan Markle  has sparked speculation over a potential return of her successful lifestyle blog, The Tig, after submitting a trademark application for its name. Her bid was first rejected six months ago, when the US Patent & Trademark Office said the description of the website was “too broad” and the paperwork had been left unsigned.Now, however, the Duchess of Sussex seems closer to seeing her application approved after, as her first submission sumbitted 12 months ago was rectified with the assistance of an additional lawyer, Danielle Weiss, and is “under examination” by the US federal agency.The revised application shows Meghan is seeking to trademark The Tig in five different and descriptive “classes”.These are travel, interior design (including “environmentally conscious living”), food preparation (including cooking and recipes), health and “wellness”, and personal relationships (including, rather surprisingly, fashion and personal lifestyle).The application reportedly cost £1,500 ($1,750) to be submitted. Meghan Markle is attempting to trademark The Tig name (Image: GETTY) Meghan Markle launched The Tig in 2014 (Image: GETTY)In July 2021, publicly available records showed lawyer Marjorie Witter Norman had filed a new application to trademark The Tig name.The trademark application was filed under a Delaware-based holding company called Frim Fram Inc, which links back to Meghan’s business manager Andrew Meyer.At the time a representative of Meghan said: “The lasting trademark is to prevent false branding, to avoid others purporting to be the Duchess or affiliated with her.”This new trademark application could be seen as a step closer to Meghan re-launching her once-popular lifestyle blog – or even starting one anew. READ MORE: Meghan’s ‘inappropriate’ living request ‘firmly’ denied by late Queen Meghan Markle shut down The Tig months before her engagement with Harry was announced (Image: GETTY) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been living in California since March 2020 (Image: GETTY)However, Meghan could have chosen to apply for fresh trademark to avoid copycats and protect her and her fans from false branding, without necessarily wanting to revive her old brand.The Tig was launched in 2014, when Meghan was already an established member of the cast of legal drama Suits.It included memories from her childhood and mentions of Meghan’s mum – Doria Ragland – and Thomas Markle Snr – her now estranged father – as well as recipes, travel pictures and interviews with friends and celebrities – including actress Priyanka Chopra.The Duchess closed down the lifestyle blog in April 2017, just a few months before she and Prince Harry announced their engagement.The website now only presents a landing page featuring a few pictures of Meghan or taken by the Duchess.DON’T MISS Princess Charlotte’s ‘behaviour’ at funeral meant Kate was ‘scolded’ [ANALYSIS]Doria Ragland speaks to Meghan Markle ‘like a child’ on podcast [REPORT]Prince Harry memoir torn apart by Steph McGovern [INSIGHT] Meghan Markle’s life in pictures (Image: EXPRESS)It also includes a letter to “all my Tig friends” in which the Duchess said the time had come for her to say goodbye.She also wrote: “What began as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity.”You’ve made my days brighter and filled this experience with so much joy. Keep finding those Tig moments of discovery, keep laughing and taking risks, and keep being ‘the change you wish to see in the world’.”Above all, don’t ever forget your worth – as I’ve told you time and time again: you, my sweet friend, you are enough.”Express.co.uk has contacted representatives of the Duchess of Sussex for comment.