Meghan Markle Set to Throw Fresh Shade at Royal Family on Trooping the Color This Year

Meghan Markle is set to throw some major shade at the royal family on Trooping the Color this year, June 14. While the Duchess can no longer take part in the event as a non-working royal, she’s reportedly made sure the spotlight remains on her. On the same day, Markle will attend the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's Night of Wonder gala, where she’ll be honored for her efforts in uplifting underserved communities.

Trooping the Color is a huge parade that takes place every June to celebrate the reigning monarch’s birthday. As part of the event, the royal family stands in unity on the Buckingham Palace balcony to greet the crowd that has gathered. As per Nicki Swift, while the royals would be busy celebrating being royalty, Markle will be celebrating her independence from the Firm in a very public way. People magazine reports that the garden-inspired evening at NHM’s Exposition Park will include remarks from Markle, who’s being recognized for her work championing women and underserved communities.

Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museums, announced Markle’s upcoming presence. She said, “We are proud to honor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, a native Angeleno, whose work to advance community wellbeing and expand opportunity — especially for underserved communities — aligns with our equity-focused approach to developing science literacy for the next generation, including through our STEM and STEAM Pathways programs.” Organizers of the event also say that the gala will include immersive exhibits, live music, and dinner served in the North Garden. Alongside Markle, additional guests from across L.A.’s cultural and philanthropic communities are expected to attend.

While Markle is set to ‘snub’ the royals in a week, the royal family is said to have also done the same to her during Trooping the Color in 2022. As reported by The Mirror, the late Queen Elizabeth had decided to limit the Palace balcony appearance to just working royal members for the first time. Buckingham Palace said at the time that her decision to only include working royals was taken ‘after careful consideration.’ Her move was interpreted to be a ‘snub’ to the Sussexes, who had stepped down as senior royals in 2020 for a new life in the US. Since 2022, Markle and Prince Harry, along with Prince Andrew, have not been invited to participate in the coveted event.

This isn't the first time Markle has been accused of employing tactics to steal the spotlight from major royal events. According to the Daily Mail, her 'pattern of Sussex distractions’ includes her rare interview on The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast on April 28, a day before Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 14th wedding anniversary. Similarly, on April 23, she spoke about Prince Archie’s loose tooth on the TIME 100 Summit, merely hours after Middleton posted a birthday post for Prince Louis, which featured him missing his front teeth. Harry has also been accused of taking a well-timed trip to China on May 26, the same day King Charles arrived in Canada for his much-awaited throne speech.