Meghan Markle is once again caught in a wave of royal drama, and this time, it involves none other than country music icon Dolly Parton. A new report suggests that Meghan’s attempt to secure Parton for her podcast and Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, has backfired in an embarrassing way—and she suspects the hand of Kate Middleton behind it all.
According to royal expert Kinsey Schofield, the Duchess of Sussex had reached out to Parton with an invitation to appear on her upcoming show. However, the country legend’s team reportedly rejected the request outright—and not quietly.
In fact, Schofield claims Parton’s representatives were “livid” that Meghan even made the ask. The reason behind the strong reaction is said to be Meghan’s motive. “They knew that this ask was just to give Meghan Markle credibility in this lifestyle space, a space that Dolly does have a lot of credibility in,” the expert explained.
The refusal has not only left Meghan disappointed, but it has also stirred new tensions with her sister-in-law Kate Middleton. The Duchess of Sussex now believes there is more to this rejection than meets the eye.
Insiders say Meghan is growing increasingly convinced that Kate Middleton and Prince William are quietly working behind the scenes to block her from securing celebrity guests. The idea that her own family members might be undermining her projects has reportedly left Meghan both angry and paranoid.
“She truly believes there’s a quiet effort to chip away at her image,” a source close to the situation told Radar Online. “And she suspects Kate is orchestrating it from the background.”
The podcast and series With Love, Meghan were intended to be a major rebranding effort for the duchess, designed to show her as a warm, relatable figure with high-profile guests to back her vision. Dolly Parton was supposed to be a major boost to that image.
Sources claim that Meghan had seen Dolly’s presence on the show as “instant credibility” for her message and platform. Having the beloved singer on board would have helped Meghan step into the wellness and lifestyle spotlight with authority.
Unfortunately, that plan seems to have collapsed. Meghan now believes that Kate Middleton, known officially as the Princess of Wales, may have used her family’s connections to deter Parton’s team from accepting the offer.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are known to have long-standing ties to the entertainment world, and Meghan suspects those royal connections may have influenced Dolly’s decision. That suspicion has reignited the rivalry between the two royal women.
Read More: Kate Middleton’s Unforgettable Moment at Wimbledon Leaves Crowd in Awe After Cancer Recovery
“Meghan sees this as proof there is a big enough link there for Kate to have executed a calculated move to undercut her chances of having Dolly as a guest,” one source noted. The tension reportedly has not gone unnoticed by Prince Harry either.
The Duke of Sussex, who has been working alongside Meghan on their Netflix content, is said to be “deeply frustrated” that his wife is still facing barriers while trying to establish their post-royal brand in the United States.
As parents to Archie and Lilibet, the couple had hoped their new projects would shift the media narrative and allow them to be seen as independent and impactful public figures. Instead, this latest setback only highlights the continued battle for influence between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
Meghan and Harry’s struggles to secure top-tier talent for their productions have drawn attention in recent months. With previous guests and collaborators distancing themselves from the couple, this latest rejection is being seen as another blow to their Hollywood ambitions.
The feud with Kate Middleton adds a deeply personal layer to the drama. What was once believed to be a simple rivalry now appears to involve strategic moves, celebrity access, and public credibility.
Whether or not Kate actually played a role in Parton’s refusal remains unclear, but the suspicion alone has reignited tensions that have long simmered beneath the surface.
Meghan Markle had hoped her latest endeavor would mark a fresh chapter. Instead, it has opened old wounds, drawn new battle lines, and left the world watching what the duchess will do next.
