Meghan Markle's biggest problem isn't the Royal Family – it's Princess Kate, argues a new opinion piece by Alicia Liberty. The article, published on June 30, 2026, contends that while Meghan has pursued a series of commercial ventures post-royalty, Catherine has quietly built a lasting legacy through service and restraint.
When Meghan married Prince Harry, many expected the 'Fab Four' – Prince William, Princess Catherine, Harry, and Meghan – to modernize the monarchy. Instead, the relationship unravelled, leading to the Sussexes' move to Montecito, multimillion-pound media deals, and a family estrangement. The piece suggests Meghan stopped trying to be a royal and started building a brand, while Catherine did the opposite.
Princess Catherine Built a Legacy While Meghan Built a Lifestyle Brand
Princess Catherine has focused on causes like early childhood development, nature, and British fashion – issues designed for lasting impact, not clicks. In contrast, Meghan's post-royal portfolio includes Netflix, Spotify, podcasts, jam, rosé, shopping edits, and wellness retreats. The article notes that one woman invested in the monarchy for a decade, while the other spent five years monetizing what the monarchy gave her.
“Catherine never tried to become bigger than the institution she married into,” the author writes. She understood that service often means taking a step back, whether walking behind senior royals or supporting Prince William. Meghan arrived with Hollywood confidence but appeared to struggle with the idea that royal life is not about personal branding.
Silence as Discipline
The piece contrasts how the two women handled media scrutiny. Princess Diana, Sarah Ferguson, and Catherine herself faced relentless tabloid intrusion. Catherine was mocked as 'Waity Katie' and targeted by conspiracy theories during cancer treatment. Meghan also faced hostile coverage. But while Catherine let time do the talking, Meghan and Harry chose Oprah, Netflix, Spare, podcasts, and interviews.
“Sometimes the hardest thing to do is say nothing at all,” the article states. “In royal life, silence isn’t surrender; it’s discipline.” Catherine weathered the storm; Meghan fought it publicly.
The Monarchy as the Product
The irony, the author argues, is that Meghan's commercial successes are rooted in the royal story she left behind. Would Netflix have signed the Sussexes if they were just a former actress and her husband? Would Spare have sold so fast without Buckingham Palace? The article speculates that if Catherine launched a memoir, Netflix deal, or lifestyle brand, it would be a global phenomenon – but she likely won't, because she understands restraint.
“One has largely preserved the mystique surrounding the monarchy. The other has repeatedly returned to the royal connection when launching new ventures,” the piece notes. “If your biggest commercial asset remains the institution you chose to leave, perhaps it wasn’t the monarchy holding you back after all.”
The Long Game
Catherine played the long game, waiting years to become Princess of Wales and earning public trust through consistency. Meghan's post-royal years have felt like a carousel of reinventions, making her public identity harder to define. The article concludes that royal life rewards patience, restraint, and service – a formula Catherine mastered, while Meghan chose another path.
“Looking at where both women stand today, it’s difficult not to wonder whether following Catherine’s playbook would have led to a very different ending,” the author writes.
