4 Times Meghan Markle Seemingly Stole the Spotlight From King Charles and Queen Camilla

Meghan Markle has always made headlines, but it doesn't always sit well with the other royals. While the Duchess might have left the royal family six years ago, comparisons and an unspoken war between them have prevailed, oftenning betting the two sides against one another. Several of Markle's announcements, photographs and social media posts have landed alongside major moments for King Charles and Queen Camilla. While there is no proof that these were deliberately planned to compete with the senior royals, critics and commentators have certainly questioned the timing.

Although there was never a public spat, in March 2020, just before the Sussexes stepped back as senior working royals, Camilla was reportedly left 'very upset' by Markle. Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, was delivering a major speech at the Women of the World Festival about domestic violence. According to reports at the time, members of the Royal Family had been asked to observe a social media blackout to avoid overshadowing Camilla. Yet, photographs from Markle’s private visit to the National Theatre were released on the Sussex Royal Instagram account that same day. According to The Mirror’s Royal Editor Russell Myers, Camilla was utterly disappointed. "Everyone was in agreement that Camilla’s speech should take p­recedence. ­Unfortunately some people had other ideas," Myers added.

Prince Archie’s fourth birthday on May 6, 2023, was the same day Charles was crowned at Westminster Abbey alongside Camilla. While the event was expected to create some family drama, things spiralled. Markle did not attend the coronation; instead, she stayed back in California with Archie while Harry travelled to London for the day. He flew back on the very same day, leaving many disappointed over the Sussexes missing such a significant occasion. Royal columnist Lee Cohen critiqued the family and called them out for trying to upstage the King. Talking to The Express, he said, "It's terribly petty, but the Sussexes, who no longer have their royal platform, seem to relish any opportunity to attempt to upstage a royal occasion."

Then came one of the more unusual comparisons. In May 2026, King Charles made headlines during a U.S. visit after being filmed feeding chickens during a community engagement in New York. Just hours later, Markle shared a video from the chicken coop at her Montecito home, showing herself and daughter Lilibet collecting eggs. The timing caught attention of royal watchers, with critics accusing Markle of copying or trying to compete with the King’s viral moment.

Fast-forward to July 2026, as Charles and Camilla attended the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Markle was yet again accused of upstaging them. She shared a carousel of photographs from her family’s summer holiday. The post included Harry, Archie and Princess Lilibet, with one photograph showing the family at Althorp, Princess Diana’s childhood home. Royal commentator Robert Jobson, in his Substack, called them out: “Then there is timing. The King and Queen arrived at the Commonwealth Games in a police box. Dr Who’s Tardis. A good gag, beautifully done, months in the planning. They were upstaged by Meg again," he said.