A royal rift is deepening as Meghan Markle’s latest public moves are drawing fire from critics who say she’s deliberately trying to overshadow Princess Kate.
While the Princess of Wales marked her 14th wedding anniversary with a subtle photo beside Prince William, Meghan raised eyebrows by sharing intimate images of Prince Harry kissing and hugging her at Beyoncé’s concert in Los Angeles on May 9.
Kate, who has been undergoing cancer treatment, made a surprise return to public duties on May 8. She attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in honor of World War II veterans. The event carried global significance as it marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Yet Meghan’s media presence only intensified days later.
Royal insiders told Star Magazine that Meghan’s timing wasn’t lost on the palace. Some within royal circles are questioning whether her public displays were meant to compete with Kate’s quiet resilience.
PDA posts and branded appearances spark backlash
On April 23, Meghan took the stage at the TIME100 Summit in New York to promote her brand, Netflix projects and upcoming podcast episodes. Her appearance focused more on media influence than philanthropy, prompting critics to question the motive behind her growing media presence.
While Kate remained focused on tradition and duty, Meghan’s strategy appeared aimed at visibility. According to Star Magazine, the stark difference in approach hasn’t gone unnoticed by senior royals or the public.
The contrast became even clearer when Kate hosted a royal garden party on May 20 at Buckingham Palace—despite still recovering. Meanwhile, Meghan aired a segment with Mindy Kaling, showing how to host a kid-friendly garden tea party at her Montecito estate.
From royal ship christening to beachside branding
Kate continued her royal return by christening the Royal Navy’s new ship, HMS Glasgow, on May 22. She broke a bottle of whisky against the hull, maintaining one of the monarchy’s oldest ceremonial traditions.
Just two weeks later, Meghan posted a carefree barefoot photo on the beach with a playful caption about “running into the weekend.” The image appeared on the official Instagram page of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, further blurring the line between personal life and brand promotion.
Royal experts say these carefully timed appearances are raising eyebrows. As Kate fights for her health with quiet grace and loyalty to royal duty, Meghan’s highly polished public image has ignited criticism from both palace insiders and loyalists.
A source told Star Magazine that tensions between the duchess and the future queen have reached a boiling point—and the palace is bracing for what Meghan does next.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.