Kate Middleton laughed at Meghan Markle’s overshadowing attempt
Kate Middleton is said to be unfazed and even amused by Meghan Markle’s attempt to launch a festive TV special just days before the Princess of Wales hosts her annual royal Christmas broadcast – according to insiders who say RadarOnline.com the rivalry between the two women is as sharp as ever.
Tensions between the couple have flared again after Markle, 44, announced a holiday edition of her Netflix lifestyle series With love, Meghan would fall on December 3.
The timing raised eyebrows in royal circles as Kate’s flagship event was televised Together with Christmas The carol service, supported by The Royal Foundation, will take place at Westminster Abbey on December 5 – an event that has become one of the most watched royal events of the season.
Critics had already questioned the Sussexes’ judgment earlier this month, when Prince Harry, 41, announced details of his trip to Vancouver within minutes of Prince William wrapping up a major assignment in Brazil.
Harry’s spokesman rejected claims of deliberate overlap. Days later, Markle revealed plans for her festive show, saying on Instagram: “Embrace traditions and make new ones this holiday season. With love, Meghan: Celebration arriving December 3 on @netflix.”
A royal source said: “Kate saw the announcement and just laughed. She thinks Meghan is being petty again but she’s not losing any sleep over it.
“She believes her Christmas songs will outshine and crush anything Meghan puts out.”
Another royal insider said: “There is a sense that Meghan is constantly trying to emulate or mirror what Kate is doing.
“Kate’s attitude is that she doesn’t have to compete. She knows her event will dominate the season and she knows she is seen as much more stylish than Meghan.”
Markle’s new Christmas episode shows her at her Montecito home, wearing a green dress as she oversees a holiday table decorated with candles, ribbons and greenery.
Netflix describes it as a “magical holiday feast” that offers viewers “simple how-tos” for seasonal crafts and meals.
A statement said: “Join Meghan in Montecito, California, this December for a magical Christmas celebration as she shares how she plans to make this time with family and friends especially memorable and meaningful.
“Together, friends and family decorate the halls, create holiday meals, make heartfelt gifts and laugh together – giving you simple how-tos you can follow at home.”
But royal aides claim the Sussex production was clearly designed to coincide with Kate’s own Christmas schedule.
A long-time employee said: ‘Every December Kate puts in a huge amount of work Together with Christmas.
“It’s meaningful to her. The timing of Meghan’s project felt sharp, but Kate finds it all a bit strange.”
The two women have remained distant since Harry and Markle left the United Kingdom and their royal duties four years ago.
A source said: “Kate doesn’t expect warmth from Meghan and Meghan certainly doesn’t expect it from Kate.
“But when it comes to Christmas this year, Kate is feeling confident. She thinks Meghan’s attempt to overshadow her is just another misstep – and she’s happy to let the public decide.”
At Harry and Markle’s Harry & Meghan Netflix series, Markle spoke mockingly about Kate’s ‘formality’.
She said of her first meeting with Harry and the Waleses: ‘They came for dinner – I remember wearing ripped jeans and going barefoot.
“I was a hugger. I’ve always been a hugger, I didn’t know that this is really shocking to a lot of British people.”
She told how she realized “very quickly” that the formality of royal life continued behind closed doors, adding: “There’s a forward-facing way of being, and then you close the door and say, ‘You can relax now.’
“But that formality applies to both sides. And that was surprising to me.”
