Meghan Markle has sparked renewed criticism after Martha Stewart's remarks about her lifestyle pivot and a dinner-party account were made public. Royal critics have slammed the Duchess of Sussex for "starting a fight in an empty room".
Martha Stewart's dinner party revelation
Martha revealed that they were both guests at a dinner party in California. "And she [Meghan] had just gotten back from the palace. I didn't talk to her really more than to say a couple words, but I know she was talking about it," the US author told People.
The lifestyle mogul was referring to the Sussexes' UK trip where Meghan and her children reunited with King Charles for the first time in four years. Meghan and Prince Harry brought Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to visit the monarch at Highgrove House.
Criticism over Netflix show and response
Martha was also asked about Meghan's Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, to which she commented: "If you're an actress, it's hard to then transition to a princess and then from a princess into a homemaking guru on a television show. It doesn't sort of follow. So go from there."
A few days later, an anonymous source who claimed to be the dinner party host disputed Martha's retelling of her encounter with Meghan. They claimed: "I sat next to Meghan at the dinner party, and this account of what happened is simply untrue. Meghan didn't talk about her European vacation other than to say the family had a great time. Meghan has always been a fan of Martha's and enjoyed getting to meet her briefly at the dinner."
Commentators weigh in
Discussing the matter on The Royals Uncensored commentator Kinsey Schofield said: "I do think that Meghan has aspired to be similar to Martha Stewart. We see in all the different ventures she's trying, she's not just under one category - she's a podcaster, she's a producer...we could go on and on.
"But I do think that this is the perfect example of 'never complain, never explain'. Because would we still be having this conversation this week if Meghan and her team hadn't replied? Absolutely not, we will be onto the next thing."
Jo Elvin found it bizarre that an insider denied Martha's words, adding: "That rebuke that called Martha of all things confused. It just had me wondering if the Sussex could start a fight in an empty room."
Former royal butler Grant Harrold wondered how King Charles or Prince William would feel if they found out their private meeting at Highgrove was being discussed at a dinner party.
Kinsey believed that Meghan could possibly mention her UK trip and reunion with King Charles for "clout", adding: "The A-listers wanting to be Team royal and wanting to engage with the working royals, while we see people like George and Amal Clooney, are distancing themselves from Harry and Meghan since Harry and Meghan have established themselves in the US."
