The Trooping the Colour event, an annual celebration marking the British monarch’s official birthday, saw Princess Kate Middleton return to the public eye, sparking admiration and controversy. Middleton, currently battling cancer, made her first public appearance in six months, attending the event on June 15, 2024 with her husband, Prince William, and their children on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
While the public rejoiced at seeing Kate back, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, found herself in the spotlight for different reasons. Markle launched new products from her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, over the same weekend. This timing led to accusations from some royal experts and media outlets that Meghan attempted to upstage Kate’s significant return to public life.
Royal expert Jonathan Sacerdoti expressed strong opinions on TMZ Live, accusing Meghan of trying to divert attention from Kate. Sacerdoti remarked, “Princess Kate’s appearance amid her health struggles reminded the public why they love the royals,” while criticizing Meghan’s “pathetic” attempt to steal the spotlight. He implied that Meghan’s timing was deliberate, although he also acknowledged it might have been coincidental.
Supporting Sacerdoti’s view, some media reports suggested that Meghan’s product launch, highlighted by her friend Nacho Figueras on Instagram, was a calculated move to overshadow Kate. Figueras shared images of American Riviera Orchard’s new raspberry jam and dog biscuits, sparking backlash from royal fans who saw it as an attempt to shift media focus.
Not all experts agree with Sacerdoti’s harsh assessment. Many believe that Meghan had no control over the timing of Figueras’ post. A close source to Meghan told the media, “It would have been difficult for her to control the timing and context of his post, as celebrities may not react well to having their posts micro-managed.” This perspective was echoed by public relations expert Lynn Carratt, who stated, “Meghan sending a pot of her jam and dog biscuits to a friend was not done with any malice.”
Carratt further argued that Meghan’s criticism is often disproportionate. She noted that Meghan and Prince Harry have faced public scrutiny since they departed from royal duties in 2020, known as “Megxit.”
Amid the controversy, Kate Middleton’s return to public duties was significant. Kate, who had stepped back from her official duties in January after undergoing abdominal surgery and starting chemotherapy treatments, expressed gratitude for the public’s support. In a statement released before the Trooping the Colour event, Kate said, “Thank you for the kind messages of support and encouragement I have received since my cancer diagnosis.”
Royal expert Katie Nicholl highlighted the effort for Kate to attend the event, noting that her appearance likely took a “toll” on her. “The princess has this sort of swan-like quality about her — she’s sort of gliding on the surface — but beneath the water, I think often she’s paddling quite frantically,” Nicholl said. She added, “Saturday’s appearance, which commemorated King Charles’ official birthday, followed a huge amount of preparation and time and effort.”
The public’s response to Kate’s appearance was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing admiration for her resilience. Jonathan Sacerdoti emphasized this sentiment: “Seeing Kate back in the public eye was a reminder of the royal family’s enduring appeal and the strength of character that Kate embodies.”
Meanwhile, Meghan’s supporters defended her against the accusations, arguing that her actions were not intended to overshadow Kate. They pointed out that the controversy was likely fueled by ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.