Victoria Beckham investigated for allegedly copying royal design

Oct 4, 2005, 12:36 GMT

Victoria Beckham is being investigated for allegedly copying the symbol for her fashion line from Queen Elizabeth II.

Licensing bosses are looking into claims the former Spice Girl has breached copyright laws by using the design of the St Edward's Crown the queen wore at her coronation as the basis for her Rock and Republic clothes range. The logo of the St Edward's Crown, which is one of the most famous Crown Jewels, can be found on the tunics worn by Beefeaters guarding the Tower of London and on postboxes.

A source at Britain's Office of Public Sector Information, who license the use of royal emblems, insists no representative of Victoria has contacted them to get permission to license the symbol and a full investigation will now take place.

The source is quoted by Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "We'll be looking into it. If she copied the design unofficially then we can take action, including stopping sales or obtaining a share of profits."

However, the singer denies her logo is influenced by St Edward's Crown and insists she designed her crown with her football ace husband David Beckham. A spokesman for Victoria said: "It's the crown she and David both use. I believe they designed it together. It's trademarked so I don't see the problem."

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