The so-called ‘Fab Four’ of the Royal Family appeared to be a united front representing a modern monarchy, but tensions surfaced early during their first joint public appearance in February 2018. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in the Royal Foundation forum summit in London, an event that would mark both their first and last stage appearance together.
At the summit, themed ‘Making a Difference Together’, Meghan spoke passionately about the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, urging women to “use their voices”. Her speech was widely praised, but author Tina Brown later noted in her book The Palace Papers that Kate appeared “strikingly less articulate” in comparison. Brown observed that Meghan “deployed an issue that was not even on the foundation’s docket” while Harry watched with awe, and William and Kate stood by with “expressionless irritation”.
The event had been intended to announce Meghan as the fourth patron of the Royal Foundation. However, Brown claimed that Kate, who had been the prime mover behind the foundation’s mental health campaign after years of supporting her brother James, was overshadowed. The “awkward dynamic” led to a decision that the four would never again appear on stage together as a group, aside from larger ceremonial engagements such as Trooping the Colour.
The summit is now seen as a key moment that exposed the growing rift between the couples, which later culminated in Harry and Meghan stepping back from royal duties and moving to the United States.
