A six-year-old girl faced an unexpected hurdle in her journey to Disneyland when her passport application was rejected because she is named after a popular Game of Thrones character.
Khaleesi Holloway’s mother Lucy told the BBC the UK Passport Office claimed the girl’s name infringed on the trademark held by Warner Brothers for the award-winning high fantasy series. Emilia Clarke's character Daenerys Targaryen was given the title Khaleesi, or queen, in Game of Thrones.
Lucy said she was taken aback when she received a letter from the Passport Office stating that her daughter's name was trademarked and required permission from the entertainment giant to be used on a passport. The news threw a spanner into the family's eagerly anticipated £2,000 holiday.
"I was absolutely devastated, we were so looking forward to our first holiday together," Lucy said.
Despite seeking legal advice and providing evidence that the trademark did not extend to personal names, the Passport Office initially insisted on a letter from Warner Brothers.
However, after Lucy shared her story on social media, the issue gained traction, prompting the Passport Office to investigate. They eventually apologised, admitting that their staff had been given incorrect guidance.
The ordeal has caused significant stress for Lucy, who has put the holiday on hold until both she and Khaleesi have their passports.
Source: India Today