BREAKING NEWS: Meghan Markle just became Princess Kate’s biggest threat
Meghan Markle’s renewed presence in Britain could reignite an old royal rivalry, writes Alicia Liberty.
Meghan Markle is suddenly Princess Kate’s biggest threat (Image: Getty)
For years, Princess Catherine has occupied a position Meghan Markle simply couldn’t touch: future Queen, undisputed royal fashion heavyweight and arguably the woman who best understands how to make modern monarchy look effortless. But Meghan’s latest chapter should not be underestimated following her shock return to the UK.
After years spent thousands of miles away in California, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, is once again positioning herself much closer to the royal conversation – and, inevitably, to Catherine. Every outfit, appearance and carefully curated photograph now has the potential to become a tale of two royal women all over again.
Meghan may have walked away from royal life, but she certainly hasn’t walked away from the influence, attention or status that came with it. And if her return to Britain becomes anything more than temporary, Catherine may suddenly find her sister-in-law competing for the same crown once again.
Meghan knows fashion is her most powerful weapon
There was a time when Catherine, 44, could attend an engagement in a new coat and practically own the fashion pages for the day, but Meghan has become increasingly savvy about the power of her own wardrobe.
Her California reinvention has been built around immaculate neutrals, expensive accessories and an aspirational lifestyle aesthetic that feels deliberately removed from the constraints of royal dressing.
Put her back on British soil, and those two wardrobes will inevitably be compared again – except this time Meghan has complete freedom over what she wears, when she is photographed and the image she wants to project. She might not have Catherine’s future crown, but she can certainly compete for the title of best-dressed royal.
The Duchess and Princess Catherine have reportedly not seen eye to eye over the years (Image: GETTY)
The Duchess can play by rules Catherine simply can’t
This is perhaps where Meghan has the greatest advantage. Catherine represents the monarchy and everything she does comes with protocol, responsibility and scrutiny; the Duchess, meanwhile, can operate like a celebrity when it suits her and lean into her royal connection when that carries more weight.
She can launch products, cultivate a glossy lifestyle brand, appear on television, give interviews and control her social media presence in ways that would be unthinkable for a future Queen.
The Princess of Wales has the institution behind her, but Meghan has something potentially far more useful in the attention economy: freedom.
Meghan Markle’s return has pushed her back into the royal orbit (Image: Getty)
The old comparisons are about to become irresistible
Meghan and Catherine spent years being pitted against one another, and anyone who thinks that disappeared when the Sussexes moved to California is kidding themselves.
Put Meghan back in Britain and suddenly it’s Catherine’s engagement versus Meghan’s appearance, Catherine’s outfit versus Meghan’s outfit and Kensington Palace polish versus Montecito glamour.
Meghan doesn’t need to literally compete with her sister-in-law for the comparisons to begin – they’ll happen regardless.
Catherine’s crown is undeniably secure, but when it comes to the battle for attention surrounding the Royal Family, Meghan may be coming closer to her territory than she has been in years.
