Opinion: Meghan Markle’s ‘cold’ revenge against Kate Middleton – why the Duchess’ latest move leaves the palace furious
Opinion: Meghan Markle’s ‘cold’ revenge against Kate Middleton – why the Duchess’ latest move leaves the palace furious
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in the following article belong solely to the author and do not reflect or represent Newsner.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle famously decided to leave royal life a few years back, but the couple have since proven themselves still capable of royal work. Their recent trip to Nigeria reportedly left Prince William and Princess Kate ‘furious,’ but do the Sussexes really care?
Some are of the opinion that Meghan was always destined to be in Kate’s shadow when she married into the Royal Family, and indeed, much has pointed towards it remaining that way even now that Meghan is no longer a working royal. Kate, after all, will be the Queen of England when her husband ascends the throne, not to mention the fact that she’s arguably the most popular royal since the late Princess Diana.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relocation to the US left royal fans questioning the choices the couple had made. At the time of their move, it was discussed widely that their children would not have much of their family close at hand, including their cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and that it might prove to be to their detriment.
Even so, the Sussexes set about creating a brand for themselves, though not everyone was best pleased. In the main, people seemed irritated by how they portrayed their royal life, not to mention the accusations they made against a number of senior Royal Family family members.
The couple signed deals with Netflix and Spotify, but the fact that they were making millions by revealing intimate details about their former lives evoked the ire of a great many in the UK, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, said to be enraged by what the Sussexes said.
For their part, Harry and Meghan didn’t seem at all interested in returning to any aspect of royal life. Still, some of their projects appear to have come straight from the guidebook for Royal Family members on how to spend their “well-earned” money.
No one can say that the Invictus Games – founded by Prince Harry for veterans worldwide – isn’t a great initiative. But considering what he and Meghan have done in recent years, it’s hard not to question whether it might be an even bigger win from a publicity standpoint.
Meghan Markle’s popularity surges in the US
Starting a feud with the future king and queen might not have been Harry and Meghan’s smartest call, but it was inevitable. Meanwhile, reports insist that William and Kate aren’t interested in reuniting with Harry and Meghan, hardly helping their standing.
While it’s become evident that Meghan isn’t overly popular in the UK, it appears that she’s managed to steer the ship in the right direction in the US. A recent poll by Newsweek shows that Meghan’s popularity is surging.
She’s liked by 36 percent of adults and disliked by 24 percent, which gives her a net approval rating of plus 12. That’s the same approval rating as King Charles, for anyone interested, and the Sussexes’ recent decision to travel to Nigeria could possibly become the flagship hailing Meghan’s revenge
It goes without saying that Kate Middleton is beloved by UK fans, but after she published a manipulated Mother’s Day photo earlier this year, people not only lost trust in her but began to question the monarchy itself. After all, if they can’t tell the truth, then what can they offer?
Amidst Kate’s woes and troubles, Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, is soon set to be launched, and she and Harry’s recent trip to Nigeria marked a positive new chapter in their lives.
The Sussexes were given a royal welcome upon arrival in Nigeria, which was enough to raise certain eyebrows as it was. A royal welcome for two self-professed non-royals? Indeed, it seems as though their trip to the African country could be interpreted as having given them a small measure of revenge against the Firm.
Meghan recently revealed that she had done a DNA test, one establishing that she is 43 percent Nigerian. This gave Meghan an obvious reason to travel to Nigeria, and though the journey had been planned to further Harry’s and Meghan’s work surrounding the Invictus Games, after the DNA test, it became rather personal.
Harry and Meghan greeted the public with huge smiles, taking selfies and enjoying all the ‘fun’ elements of being a Royal Family member without having to answer to the Firm. Meanwhile, their trip gave Buckingham Palace a lot of unwanted publicity, and the Sussexes didn’t even have to comment on royal issues to turn things in their favor.
Royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror that William and Kate were furious about Harry and Meghan’s trip to Nigeria, as it felt just like a royal visit.
“Everything you might expect from an official royal visit was there – the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled,” he said.
Meghan Markle got her ‘cold’ revenge on Kate with Nigeria trip
Moreover, the Nigeria trip showed a human side to Meghan. Since community work is seen one of the more powerful undertakings one can engage in – especially in the US – the trip became a huge publicity success story.
And that’s not only for her own brand. No, Meghan’s success may also have afforded her a sort of cold revenge over Kate and the Royal Family.
Why? Well, because the Duchess felt so betrayed and hurt by them and saw her stock plummet after leaving the UK and speaking negatively about her experiences there. Her recent work, in contrast, seeing her painted as a caring, kind individual will no doubt drastically help her popularity.
There are a thousand tales about kings and queens, princes and princesses. Perhaps Meghan’s experiences have proven that being a ‘non-royal’ princess has advantages, not least when it comes to restoring her image.
ABUJA, NIREGIA – MAY 11: Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Britain’s Meghan (not seen), Duchess of Sussex, attend an exhibition sitting volleyball match at Nigeria Unconquered, a community-based charitable organization dedicated to aiding wounded, injured, or sick servicemembers, as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Kate and her husband may reportedly be “furious” about Harry and Meghan’s Nigeria venture, but the Duke and the Duchess are surely smiling all the way to their Montecito mansion, far away from paparazzi photographers and royal protocols.
Needless to say, everyone, including Harry and Meghan, are wishing Kate a speedy recovery in her cancer battle. That doesn’t mean, though, that Meghan can’t make the most of an opportunity to shine in the spotlight.
Meghan’s Nigeria trip may have heralded a fresh beginning, but she carried herself like the princess she remains.