A six-year-old girl’s trip to Disneyland encountered an unexpected obstacle when her passport application was denied due to her name being linked to a popular Game of Thrones character.
Khaleesi Holloway’s mother, Lucy, shared with the BBC that the UK Passport Office rejected the application, claiming the name infringed on a trademark owned by Warner Brothers for the acclaimed high fantasy series. In Game of Thrones, Emilia Clarke’s character Daenerys Targaryen is titled Khaleesi, meaning queen.
Lucy was shocked when she received a letter from the Passport Office indicating that her daughter’s name was trademarked and required permission from Warner Brothers to be used on a passport. This development disrupted the family’s eagerly awaited £2,000 holiday.
Lucy asserted, “I was absolutely devastated, we were so looking forward to our first holiday together.”
Despite obtaining legal advice and presenting proof that the trademark did not apply to personal names, the Passport Office initially demanded a letter from Warner Brothers.
However, after Lucy shared her story on social media, it gained attention, leading the Passport Office to investigate the matter. They eventually apologized, acknowledging that their staff had received incorrect guidance.
This ordeal has caused significant stress for Lucy, who has postponed the holiday until she and Khaleesi receive their passports.
Despite these challenges, the young girl, who often introduces herself as “Khaleesi Holloway Queen of Dragons,” remains optimistic about their dream trip to Disneyland Paris.
