A six-year-old girl’s passport application was rejected and she missed a dream holiday to Disneyland Paris because she is named after a Game of Thrones character.
Khaleesi Holloway’s mum Lucy, 39, was told that her daughter’s name broke trademark rules and she had to put the £2,000 trip on hold.
Lucy had specifically saved up money for the once-in-a-lifetime-trip and says she was left ‘devastated’ by the news.
The Passport Office initially refused to issue Khaleesi the passport and told Lucy Warner Brothers own the trademark to the name.
But in a U-turn the Home Office, which runs the Passport Office, confirmed her application is now being processed because this was a mistake.
Lucy told the BBC: ‘I was absolutely devastated, we were so looking forward to our first holiday together.’
She recalled the moment that she received a letter through the post from the Passport Office, telling her the name is trademarked by Warner Brothers.
‘I didn’t understand and felt frustrated. If she could get a birth certificate, would something not have been flagged up then?
‘I never thought you could trademark a name.’
For those who do not watch Game of Thrones Khaleesi is the name of Daenerys Targaryen.
The six-year-old often introduces herself as Khaleesi Holloway Queen of Dragons.
Solicitors for Lucy told her that while Warner Brothers do own the trademark, this is for goods and services rather than a person’s name.
She has now received an apology from staff at the Passport Office, who told her the rule only applies to people changing their names.
Lucy said she feels the ordeal was only resolved because she posted about it on social media.
The mum hopes that she can return with her daughter to Disneyland Paris soon but says she will wait until all the passports have come through.
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm the application is being processed and apologise to the family for the delay.’
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