Duchess' subtle criticism reignites tensions, dashing King Charles and William’s hopes of reconciliation
Meghan Markle has seemingly extinguished the possibility of a reunion between the Duke of Sussex and King Charles, following a pointed set of remarks made during her recent podcast appearance.
Speaking on British businesswoman Emma Grede's Aspire podcast, Meghan touched on her return to Instagram, her brand As Ever, her viral dance clip, and the role fashion played during her time as a working royal. When asked about her social media comeback, she remarked, “It was a great way to get my voice back.”
The conversation soon shifted to the influence of Meghan’s fashion choices. While acknowledging the flattery of imitation, she expressed concern over the global monetisation of her style, often without proper credit to the original designers. “My feelings surrounding it have ebbed and flowed… oftentimes not giving credit to the brands and the designers who actually made those pieces,” she said.
Observers noted Meghan's subtle swipe at royal constraints when she spoke about using her wardrobe to amplify underrepresented voices. “So being able to support especially female-founded designers, small local brands, any territories we would go to on certain tours, I always tried to tap into local designers…,” she recalled. She added that this approach became vital “in moments where I found I wasn't as empowered with my voice.”
The Duchess’ remarks are widely interpreted as a veiled critique of the royal institution, once again fuelling concerns within the Palace. Royal sources believe King Charles and Prince William’s worst fears may be coming true — that any prospect of mending ties with the Sussexes could be derailed by further public statements.
