No Chuckles for Meghan Markle: Kate Middleton Gave Icy Response When Former Actress Attempted to Make a Joke
Kate, then-Duchess of Cambridge, was reportedly not too impressed with a 'joke' Meghan Markle cracked about Trooping the Colour.
A lighthearted moment turned awkward during Meghan Markle's debut at Trooping the Colour in June 2018. The Duchess of Sussex reportedly attempted to break the ice with her sister-in-law, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, with a casual joke gone "terribly wrong."
In his controversial memoir Spare, Prince Harry wrote how the future queen asked his wife what she thought of the grand military pageant, to which Meghan simply replied it was "colorful."
The Duke of Sussex added how the remark didn't go over well with royal traditionalist Kate, who met the comment with a "yawning silence (that) threatened to swallow us whole."
The annual event, which marks the official birthday of King Charles III (then Queen Elizabeth II), is known for its grandeur and precise protocols. It was Meghan’s first public appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony as a senior royal, just weeks after her wedding to Harry.
According to royal author Tom Bower, tensions between Meghan and Kate were already simmering before the event, fueled by differences in personality and reports of prior disagreements during wedding preparations.
In his book Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors, the scribe shared how sources claimed Meghan joked about the pomp and precision of the military pageantry, aiming to elicit a laugh from Kate. Instead, Kate appeared "unamused," maintaining her poised demeanor.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl suggested in her book Harry and Meghan: Life, Loss, and Love that cultural differences may have contributed to the misunderstanding.
"The Duchess of Cambridge is highly attuned to royal tradition and the importance of public appearances," Nicholl noted. "What may have seemed like a light-hearted moment to Meghan could have been perceived as inappropriate or poorly timed by Kate."
The incident is believed to have highlighted the stark contrast between the two women's approaches to royal life. While Kate had spent years adapting to the monarchy’s formalities, Meghan was navigating "a steep learning curve" under intense scrutiny.
However, the incident remains "just a rapid continuation of the dislike the two royal ladies shared for one another," an X commenter highlighted.
Public reaction to the alleged exchange has been divided. Some praised Meghan's attempt to bring a modern, relatable touch to royal engagements.
"It's refreshing to see someone be themselves in a setting that can feel very stiff," royal blogger Amanda Morgan commented.
Others, however, sided with Kate, arguing that decorum during such a significant event was paramount.
While the royal family has not addressed the event publicly, Sussex supporters still cite how it remains "a symbol of the challenges faced by Meghan as she sought to balance her personality with royal expectations."
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Daily Express reported on the expert opinions.
