The dynamic between Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, has been a subject of intense fascination since Meghan joined the royal family in 2018. Despite the physical distance between them—Kate residing in the UK and Meghan in the United States—their rivalry has only intensified, fueled by public appearances, contrasting approaches to royal life, and a series of perceived slights. As of May 10, 2025, recent events and ongoing tensions have kept their competition in the spotlight, captivating royal watchers and the media alike.
A Timeline of Tension
The rift between Meghan and Kate reportedly began before Meghan’s marriage to Prince Harry in May 2018. Sources cited by The Mirror in February 2025 revealed that Meghan initially viewed Kate as a “goody-two-shoes,” perceiving her polished demeanor as unrelatable. This sentiment set the tone for their relationship, which quickly deteriorated. A notable flashpoint occurred during preparations for Harry and Meghan’s wedding, when a disagreement over Princess Charlotte’s flower girl dress led to a heated exchange. In her 2021 Oprah interview, Meghan claimed that Kate had made her cry, contradicting earlier reports that suggested the opposite. This incident, though years old, continues to be a reference point for their strained relationship.
The tensions escalated when Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020, moving to California to pursue independent ventures. Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare further deepened the divide, detailing his and Meghan’s struggles within the royal family, including his strained relationship with Prince William, Kate’s husband. Posts on X around this time reflected divided public sentiment, with some users accusing Meghan of betraying the royal family, while others praised her for maintaining dignity despite alleged hostility from Kate and William, who were rumored to have leaked negative stories about her to the British press.
Contrasting Public Images
By May 2025, the contrast between Meghan and Kate’s public personas has become more pronounced. Kate, who underwent cancer treatment in 2024, has been lauded for her resilience and dedication to duty. On May 8, 2025, TIME magazine named her to its 2025 TIME100 Health list as a “Catalyst” for raising cancer awareness, highlighting her global impact after her public announcement about her diagnosis. The tribute noted that her revelation brought significant attention to early-onset cancers, particularly among those under 50. This recognition came just two weeks after Meghan’s appearance at the TIME100 Summit in New York on April 23, where she discussed her mental health and her lifestyle brand, revealing that its inaugural product sold out in 45 minutes. While Meghan’s event focused on personal achievements and happiness—she stated she was “the happiest I’ve ever been”—Kate’s accolade underscored her commitment to a broader societal cause, a contrast that royal watchers were quick to point out.
Public perception of the two women also differs starkly in the United States, where Meghan resides. A May 6, 2025, poll reported by GB News revealed that only 41% of Americans viewed Meghan positively, with 25% holding a negative opinion. In contrast, Kate, Prince William, and King Charles all ranked higher in popularity, a blow to Meghan’s image in her adopted home. Some fans on X have labeled Meghan as “jealous” of Kate, with one user in February 2024 suggesting that Meghan’s envy stemmed from Kate’s future role as queen, a position Meghan will never hold.
Parenting Styles and Public Appearances
The rivalry extends to their roles as mothers, with Meghan and Kate adopting different approaches to parenting in the public eye. Royal experts speaking to Fox News on May 1, 2025, highlighted Kate’s “highly private” approach, emphasizing her focus on normalcy and shielding her children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—from media scrutiny. Kate’s consistency in maintaining privacy contrasts with Meghan’s more open strategy. On April 24, 2025, Meghan shared a milestone about her son, Prince Archie, at the TIME100 Summit, revealing that he was about to lose his first tooth. This announcement came hours after Kate released a birthday photo of Prince Louis, showcasing his toothless smile, prompting accusations on X and in outlets like the Daily Mail that Meghan was “copying” Kate by highlighting a similar milestone.
Meghan has also been accused of mimicking Kate’s fashion choices and parenting habits. On April 24, 2025, Express.co.uk reported that Meghan’s outfit at the TIME100 Summit—a tan suit—mirrored a similar look Kate wore in 2023, reigniting claims of imitation. Additionally, Meghan’s decision to sell clothes worn by her children, Archie and Lilibet, echoed a practice Kate has long followed, further fueling the narrative of rivalry. Some fans on X criticized Meghan, with one user on April 28, 2025, accusing her of exploiting her children for publicity, a stark contrast to Kate’s protective approach.
Perceived Slights and Attempts at Reconciliation
Recent events have highlighted the ongoing friction between the two. On May 3, 2025, the Daily Mail revisited a moment after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, when Kate and Meghan appeared together during a walkabout. Body language expert Katia Loisal noted Kate’s “icy stare” at Meghan, which reportedly left the Duchess of Sussex visibly uncomfortable, stooping her head and turning away. Kate later described the event as “one of the hardest things” she’d ever had to do, and Meghan has not returned to the UK since, underscoring the depth of their rift.
Attempts at reconciliation have been largely unsuccessful. On April 27, 2025, The Mirror reported that Harry and Meghan were “desperate” for a truce with William and Kate, with Meghan hoping to appear as the “bigger person.” Sources told The New York Times that Meghan saw Kate’s return to public duties after her cancer treatment as an opportunity to mend ties, potentially easing the pressure on the Sussexes. However, posts on X, such as one from @unreMARKLEble on May 7, 2025, suggested that reconciliation was unlikely, citing Meghan’s past actions—like allowing her supporters to attack Kate online during her cancer battle—as unforgivable.
Further fueling the feud, Meghan’s use of her HRH title in a letter in early 2025, despite stepping back from royal duties, drew ire from William and Kate. A former courtier told Yahoo on April 30, 2025, that William “loathes and despises” Harry and Meghan for using their royal status, believing it betrays the family’s values. Meanwhile, a May 8, 2025, GB News report noted that William and Kate’s decision to sign a VE Day tribute with just their first names—a humble gesture—stood in contrast to Meghan’s formal use of her title, further highlighting their differing approaches.
The Unending Rivalry
The competition between Meghan and Kate is not just personal but symbolic of broader tensions within the royal family. Kate represents tradition, duty, and the future of the monarchy, while Meghan embodies independence, modernity, and a break from convention. Their rivalry, played out through public appearances, parenting choices, and media narratives, shows no signs of abating. For instance, on May 8, 2025, People magazine noted their back-to-back TIME100 moments, with Kate’s health advocacy overshadowing Meghan’s personal triumphs in the eyes of many.
As of May 10, 2025, the distance between Montecito and Kensington Palace may be vast, but the rivalry between Meghan Markle and Princess Kate remains as fierce as ever. Whether through deliberate digs—like William and Kate’s reported support for a jewelry line owned by Harry’s ex, Chelsy Davy, which infuriated the Sussexes, as per Geo.tv on May 2, 2025—or through the court of public opinion, their competition continues to captivate. While Meghan seeks to carve out her own path in America, and Kate solidifies her role as a future queen, the world watches, wondering if these two women will ever find common ground—or if their rivalry will define their legacies for years to come.
