In a series of events that has caught media attention, Meghan Markle is being accused of trying to overshadow Kate Middleton with a major announcement, only to have her efforts fall flat.
The alleged competition between the Duchess of Sussex and the Princess of Wales took center stage once again, but this time, it’s the timing of Meghan’s move that has sparked controversy.
It all started when Kate Middleton released a highly emotional and powerful video about her battle with cancer.
In a three-minute film, the Princess of Wales opened up about her health challenges, marking a poignant moment in her public life. The video was released at 4:29 p.m. on a Monday and instantly garnered worldwide attention.
Shortly after, at 6:09 p.m., Netflix dropped a promo for a new documentary series about polo, produced by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
While the documentary, focused on the sport Prince Harry loves, would typically attract some interest, the timing of its release, just an hour and a half after Kate’s video, raised eyebrows.
One of the most vocal critics of the Sussexes, former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan, was quick to condemn the timing of Meghan and Harry’s announcement.
Writing for The Sun, Morgan slammed the couple’s decision, suggesting that it was a deliberate attempt to steal the spotlight from Kate Middleton.
Morgan wrote, “At 4:29 p.m. on Monday afternoon, the Prince and Princess of Wales released a stunningly powerful three-minute film about Kate’s ongoing battle with cancer.
And at 6:09 p.m., Netflix released a promo for a new documentary series about Polo made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
For Morgan, the timing was far from coincidental. He sarcastically commented, “Of course, it may just have been a stupendous coincidence but if you believe that, then I’ve got some very dodgy old Ford Cortinas to sell you.”
Morgan further mocked the situation, saying, “Regardless of whether Meghan and Harry deliberately rushed out their promo to try to spoil Kate and William’s big announcement, or just to capitalize on the megaton-sized global attention it instantly received, it landed like a plop of unwanted pigeon poop on a pavement.”
Despite Meghan and Harry’s efforts to promote their polo documentary, it was clear that Kate’s video captured most of the media’s attention.
The release of the Sussexes’ documentary promo was barely mentioned in the headlines, which were instead dominated by coverage of Kate’s emotional video.
Morgan observed how Tuesday’s newspaper front pages were flooded with images of Kate, from the UK to Australia, the US to India.
“All Tuesday’s newspaper front pages, from England and Australia to America and India, were dominated by images from the Wales’s film, with barely a cursory side mention to the Sussex’s bejewelled-horse-and-mallet grift,” he added, further ridiculing the polo promo.
This isn’t the first time Meghan and Harry’s public relations strategies have come under fire.
Since stepping down as senior royals, the couple has frequently been accused of making strategic moves to grab headlines, sometimes at the expense of other royals.
Their explosive Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021, released just ahead of Prince Philip’s funeral, was another moment where timing led to accusations of overshadowing royal events.
Critics have long suggested that Meghan Markle, in particular, is keen on competing with her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, for public attention.
This latest incident has only fueled the narrative that there is a rivalry between the two women, with some accusing Meghan of trying to overshadow Kate’s important announcement about her cancer battle.
The public reaction to this incident has been mixed, with many fans of the Sussexes defending the timing of their documentary promo as a mere coincidence.
They argue that the release dates for such promos are likely set far in advance and are unlikely to be changed based on the activities of the British royal family.
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However, others, including staunch royalists and fans of the Waleses, have criticized the Sussexes for what they perceive as a lack of sensitivity.
Given the gravity of Kate’s cancer battle and her emotional revelation to the public, many believe that Meghan and Harry should have postponed the release of their documentary promo to avoid appearing opportunistic.
This incident is just the latest in a long series of perceived slights between the Sussexes and the Waleses.
Since their departure from the UK, Meghan and Harry have distanced themselves from the royal family, often criticizing the institution.
In contrast, Prince William and Kate Middleton have remained steadfast in their royal duties, and Kate’s increasing popularity has made her a beloved figure in the UK.
The media has frequently pitted the two couples against each other, with Meghan and Kate often painted as rivals.
Whether or not this narrative is accurate, it is clear that both women attract significant public attention, and their actions are closely scrutinized by the press.
For now, it seems that Kate Middleton’s cancer journey will remain the dominant story, with her candid revelations resonating deeply with the public.
As for Meghan and Harry, their polo documentary will likely still attract interest from their loyal fan base, but the timing of its release may have cost them wider media attention.
