An eco-fashion designer has lost her £6 million lawsuit against King Charles III’s private charity after claiming the collapse of a celebrity fundraiser destroyed her business. Amanda Navaian, founder of luxury handbag brand Marici London, sued the King Charles III Charitable Trust, FareShare, and Dori Dana-Haeri, alleging breach of contract and misrepresentation over a cancelled launch dinner and T-shirt venture for the Coronation Food Project.
Mr Justice Mansfield at London’s High Court dismissed the claims, ruling that no binding oral contract had been reached during an April 2024 Zoom meeting. The judge noted that parts of the alleged agreement, including promises of endorsements and millions in fundraising, were “highly unlikely to have been expressly agreed.” He also found that the dinner was cancelled by the restaurant CLAP after a falling out with Ms Navaian, during which she called staff “thieves.”
Ms Navaian, who had been introduced to the King and showed him her sustainable handbag, said she felt drawn to the project due to her admiration for the monarch’s green values. She claimed the venture’s collapse left her psychologically scarred and unable to work. However, the judge ruled that no blame attached to the charities, and the case against FareShare was largely thrown out.
The designer, who represented herself in court, had sought £6 million in damages. The court’s decision brings an end to the legal dispute over the failed collaboration, which was intended to raise funds for the Coronation Food Project, a charity addressing food waste and insecurity.
