Meghan Markle may have unintentionally thrown shade at Kate Middleton during one of her earliest royal outings, according to a royal expert.
The Duchess of Sussex’s fiery speech at the Royal Foundation Forum in 2018 reportedly left Prince William and Kate visibly uncomfortable, and even made the future Queen appear “less astute” in comparison.
It was the first time the so-called “Fab Four” appeared together for a public event—a moment that was meant to show unity but instead hinted at the tensions that would later split the royal family.
During the summit, Meghan passionately spoke about women’s empowerment, boldly aligning herself with global movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up.
“I hear a lot of people speaking about girls’ empowerment and women’s empowerment, and you’ll hear people saying they are helping women find their voices,” Meghan said during the panel.
She continued, “I fundamentally disagree with that because women don’t need to find a voice. They have a voice. They need to be empowered to use it—and people need to be urged to listen.”
While the message received praise from feminists and global media outlets, it reportedly stunned the rest of the royal panel, particularly Kate, who was next in line to speak.
Royal author Tina Brown revealed in The Palace Papers that Meghan’s remarks appeared “off-script” and not aligned with the Royal Foundation’s intended focus for the event.
“Meghan deploy[ed] an issue that was not even on the foundation’s docket—women’s empowerment,” Brown wrote. “She spoke with blithe proprietorship, as if leading the agenda.”
As Meghan spoke passionately with Prince Harry looking on proudly, Prince William and Princess Kate were seen reacting with what Tina Brown described as “expressionless irritation.”
“When it was Kate’s moment to speak, she was strikingly less articulate, as well as brief,” Brown added, suggesting that Meghan’s commanding presence had eclipsed her sister-in-law.
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Kate’s more cautious and traditionally restrained approach to royal engagements reportedly clashed with Meghan’s American-style directness and activist tone.
While Meghan embraced bold advocacy and headline-worthy statements, Kate has long preferred to quietly champion causes through action rather than public speeches.
Insiders say the contrast between the two royal wives was already drawing public comparisons at the time, fueling speculation of rivalry behind palace walls.
Critics argue that Meghan’s forwardness may have unintentionally made Kate appear reserved or out of touch, particularly in an era demanding bold female leadership.
Though both women support women’s issues, the way they express their views diverges sharply—one through carefully curated appearances, the other through impassioned speeches.
This moment at the Foundation Forum is now viewed as one of the early signs that the Sussexes were on a different path—one that would ultimately lead to their royal exit.
Years later, Meghan and Harry would step back from royal duties entirely, citing personal attacks, lack of support, and a toxic media environment.
But the legacy of that first appearance still lingers, offering insight into the personalities and public styles of the two most prominent royal women of their generation.
