Kate’s brave public return exposed a very private vulnerability. But, says MAUREEN CALLAHAN, it also proved why she couldn’t be more different from Meghan

For true royal decorum, look no further than the re-emergence of Catherine, Princess of Wales.

After months of quietly undergoing chemotherapy, having famously declared a retreat from public duties, the princess announced, just last Friday, that she was feeling well enough to attend the Trooping the Colour ceremonies the following day.

Rather than indulge — as a certain duchess tends — in victimhood, self-pity, oversharing and navel-gazing, the princess expressed gratitude, humility, and a desire to celebrate with her family and the King, himself enduring his own cancer battle.

Alongside a new photo of Kate standing alone in a lush wooded green, looking up towards the sun in a spirit of health, renewal and optimism, a statement read:

‘I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months… as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting… I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty’.

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After months of quietly undergoing chemotherapy, having famously declared a retreat from public duties, the princess announced, just last Friday, that she was feeling well enough to attend the Trooping the Colour ceremonies the following day.

Brave Kate is a beacon of light in new behind the scenes video

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Rather than indulge — as a certain duchess tends — in victimhood, self-pity, oversharing and navel-gazing, the princess expressed gratitude, humility, and a desire to celebrate with her family and the King, himself enduring his own cancer battle.

Britain’s royal family are reunited on Buckingham Palace balcony

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Kate went on to write that ‘I am not out of the woods yet’.

This is a remarkable admission for a woman who is quite obviously a perfectionist, who rarely sets a foot wrong, whose public presentation is ever immaculate, whose three young children are astonishingly well-behaved.

Kate Middleton, for the first time, has shared her fears and vulnerabilities, perhaps even a tendency towards impatience. How human. How honest.

She began not with her own sorrows but with a note of thanks, before commiserating with her fellow travelers.

It was a jolting yet very welcome announcement.

Now, of course, as Kate’s sudden return generated global headlines, the supporters of Montecito’s despoiling duchess seemingly couldn’t allow her ailing sister-in-law the spotlight.

Yes: Meghan Markle, more stubborn than kudzu, popped back up again — or rather, a surrogate did.

Of course, while there’s no way to know if Meghan had any awareness of this latest stunt, it certainly felt woefully predictable.

Hours before Kate’s appearance at Saturday’s parade, Harry’s great pal Nacho Figueras posted a jar of American Riviera Orchard jam — a new flavor, a limited edition (‘2 of 2’ the jar read) — with that basic muslin wrap and cloying hand-tied bow.

Hey — at least this label wasn’t peeling!

Figueras also posted a jar of dog treats, which looked to be labeled with Meghan’s ostentatious calligraphy.

And it’s all led to a rather well-deserved backlash — not just over the timing, but over the content itself.

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As Kate’s sudden return generated global headlines, the supporters of Montecito’s despoiling duchess seemingly couldn’t allow her ailing sister-in-law the spotlight.

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Hours before Kate’s appearance at Saturday’s parade, Harry’s great pal Nacho Figueras (above, center) posted a jar of American Riviera Orchard jam — a new flavor, a limited edition (‘2 of 2’ the jar read) — with that basic muslin wrap and cloying hand-tied bow.

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Hey — at least this label wasn’t peeling! Figueras also posted a jar of dog treats, which looked to be labeled with Meghan’s ostentatious calligraphy.

Meghan Markle launches long-awaited luxury lifestyle brand

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Meghan, after all, is the same woman who recorded Harry’s marriage proposal on her iPhone and used that footage in their Netflix docu-series.

The same woman who brands herself a feminist yet reminded the world, during that incendiary Oprah sit-down, that Kate’s one-time nickname had been ‘Waity Katie’.

Who, again on Netflix, smirked as she appeared to mockingly reenact her introduction to the late Queen with a deep curtsy.

Nothing Meghan does ever feels accidental. It would hardly be the biggest surprise if she had some hand in the timing of this new promo for the still-merchless ‘ARO’.

And, if so, then how did Meghan, who became the Duchess of Hertz at last year’s Women of Vision awards, lecturing the crowd about the importance of ‘daily acts of service, in kindness, in advocacy, in grace and fairness’, not see that this would be an epic face-plant?

Catherine, Princess of Wales, bravely fulfilling a public duty amid chemotherapy vs. sweetmeats and dog treats on Instagram.

It’s enough to make you wonder: has Meghan lost her touch?

Remember everyone: Be kind!

Remember, too: When Kate was convalescing after surgery in January, followed by the clatter around Photoshop-gate in March, Meghan decided to launch ‘ARO’, posting an old-timey video of herself in the kitchen, then seen from afar in a voluminous black ballgown — for day! — all set to, perversely, Nancy Wilson’s classic ‘I Wish You Love’.

Days later, when Kate announced to the world that she had cancer, Harry and Meghan — so estranged that they learned this news along with the rest of us — wasted no time issuing a press release.

‘We wish health and healing for Kate and the family,’ their statement read, ‘and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace’.

HA! Meghan and the word ‘peace’ seem at great odds, do they not?

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Alongside a new photo of Kate (above) standing alone in a lush wooded green, looking up towards the sun in a spirit of health, renewal and optimism, a statement read: ‘I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months…’

It strikes me that if they wanted to give their full support, they would finally set aside their grievances, drop the pernicious victimhood act, and apologize for insinuating to Oprah that the royals were racist.

Apologize, too, for Harry reprinting private texts between Meghan and Kate in his memoir, or for the major mistake of mouthpiece Omid Scobie naming Kate and Charles — now the most sympathetic and admired royals going — as those so-called ‘racists’, information that has still not been denied by the Gruesome Twosome.

Then again, Meghan is the woman who, amid a backdrop of impoverished African children, complained about her mental wellbeing and griped that ‘Not many people have asked if I’m okay’.

Kate, meanwhile, spent hours on her feet on Saturday, in heels and a form fitting white dress, to show up for her sick father-in-law and for her country, no doubt at great personal toll. The princess, understandably, will most likely have been left drained and fatigued — but she is not asking for our pity.

Compare Kate’s most recent statement with Meghan’s typical logorrhea, her vintage L.A. word salad of self-validation and narcissism, signifying nothing.

Here she was in Nigeria just last month, cosplaying as if on official royal business, explaining how her Nigerian ancestry only made her that much more awesome.

‘What has been echoed so much in the past day is, “Oh, we are so not surprised when we found out you are Nigerian.” It is a compliment to you, because what they define as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous and beautiful,’ she said.

And Meghan wonders why, with each successive attempt to rival Kate, she only ever fails.

HOT NEWS: 

INVICTUS GAMES ‘WANT TO REPLACE PRINCE HARRY WITH MIKE TINDALL’ IN HUGE SNUB

Prince Harry’s former biographer Angela Levin said the move to oust Harry would be a crushing blow to the Duke of Sussex.

Levin said many in the Invictus Games set-up had become disgruntled with Meghan Markle’s involvement (Image: Getty)

A royal expert has said that Invictus Games could decide to oust Prince Harry amid concerns that the sports event had become “too royal”.

Invictus could also be lining up Mike Tindall, a former rugby union player, to take over from Harry in a shock move.

Royal biographer Angela Levin made the bombshell remarks during an interview with GB News.

She suggested that Mr Tindall, who is married to Zara Tindall, the niece of King Charles, had already been drafted in as an ambassador of the games.

Prince Harry’s former biographer claimed that there had been mutiny at the charity, which allows wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women to compete at a multi-sport event.

Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Tindall, the niece of King Charles (Image: Getty)

Ms Levin revealed that many in the Invictus Games set-up had become disgruntled with Meghan Markle’s involvement.

She explained: “Mike Tindall has been made a patron of the Invictus Games. I wonder if that is a way to ease Harry out. He has been very nice about Harry.

“It has become too royal. Much too royal. Meghan makes the speeches and she actually led a march with some of the ex-military people who were either physically, emotionally or psychologically damaged during their fighting.

“They were very upset. She knows nothing about how to march and she looked like she was at a dress show. They don’t want that or to hear she is late because she had to give her children a milkshake for three days.

“She gave a speech about how to be strong and fight against things which I think was rather insulting. It has taken away from what is the idea, which is to allow these people to live another life. Harry was marvellous with these people and showing that life is worth living. Now it’s all about Meghan and Harry follows behind.”

The Duke of Sussex returns to the UK in just over a week for a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Harry will attend the thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on May 8, where he will give a reading.

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The next games will be held in Vancouver, Canada, in 2025. (Image: Getty)

He was last seen in the UK in February for a brief visit to see King Charles after his cancer diagnosis, and next week marks the first major event he will have attended in the UK for some time.

The prince first launched the Invictus Games in 2014 in partnership with the Ministry of Defence.

The next games will be held in Vancouver, Canada, in 2025.

HOT NEWS: 

MEGHAN MARKLE FACES LEGAL BATTLE: OPRAH SEEKS HUGE COMPENSATION OVER CAREER-DAMAGING CLAIMS

The royal family has always been a magnet for fascination, drama, and scandal, but the latest twist in the ongoing saga involving Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, threatens to ignite one of the most explosive legal battles in recent memory.

According to unconfirmed reports, media mogul Oprah Winfrey has allegedly sent a strongly worded legal letter to Meghan, demanding substantial compensation for what she claims were damaging lies and fabrications made by the Duchess during their groundbreaking interview last year.

At the heart of Oprah’s grievance is Meghan’s assertion that a member of the royal family had expressed concerns about the potential skin color of Meghan and Prince Harry’s then-unborn son, Archie. This incendiary allegation, which sent shockwaves through the monarchy, is now under scrutiny, with Oprah reportedly believing it to be demonstrably false.

As one of the world’s most respected and trusted interviewers, Oprah takes immense pride in her reputation for delivering honest, hard-hitting journalism. The suggestion that she may have been complicit in or misled by Meghan’s purported falsehoods is something she is reportedly unwilling to accept.

Reports indicate that Oprah is seeking millions of dollars in damages from Meghan and insists that the Duchess publicly apologize and retract her controversial comments from the interview. Failure to comply could lead to a highly publicized and potentially career-damaging lawsuit, further tarnishing Meghan’s credibility in the eyes of the public.

The stakes are extraordinarily high for both women involved. Oprah, who has built an unrivaled media empire and brand on her ability to connect with audiences and unearth revelatory interviews, faces the risk of immense reputational damage if it’s proven she was misled. For Meghan, a loss in this legal battle could mark a pivotal moment, potentially derailing her aspirations for a sustained career in entertainment and advocacy.

This clash epitomizes a battle between two formidable figures, each wielding immense wealth, power, and influence. The outcome of this legal showdown could have seismic repercussions not only for Oprah and Meghan but also for the entire narrative surrounding the royal family.

The seeds of this potential legal showdown were sown in March 2021 when Meghan and Prince Harry sat down with Oprah for a bombshell televised interview. During the interview, the couple made a series of damning allegations about their time as working members of the royal family, including accusations of racism, mental health struggles, and lack of support from the institution.

Perhaps the most explosive claim was Meghan’s revelation that there were discussions within the royal household about Archie’s skin color before his birth. This revelation ignited a firestorm in the media, with widespread condemnation of the alleged remarks as racially insensitive

The interview garnered record-breaking viewership globally, thrusting Oprah into the spotlight as the conduit through which Meghan’s accusations were broadcast to the world. Now, over a year later, it appears Oprah may be reconsidering her decision to amplify these specific claims, questioning their veracity or accuracy.

For Oprah, the stakes in this potential legal battle extend beyond financial compensation. As one of the foremost interviewers of our time, her entire brand and legacy hinge on her ability to extract truthful, authentic responses from her subjects. The suggestion that she may have been unwittingly complicit in spreading falsehoods challenges her reputation as a fair, impartial, and truth-seeking journalist.

On the other hand, Meghan has endured relentless public scrutiny and criticism throughout her tenure in the royal spotlight. Another high-profile legal setback could potentially signal the end of her ambitions for continued relevance and influence on the global stage.

This clash represents a showdown between two influential women who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve extraordinary success in their respective fields. Now, they find themselves on opposite sides of a potentially explosive legal battle that could reshape perceptions of the royal family for years to come.

While the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the world will be watching closely as this drama unfolds. With the reputations and legacies of two powerhouse women hanging in the balance, the fallout from this legal showdown is bound to be monumental. Its repercussions are likely to reverberate not just within the royal family but across the entire media landscape.

This high-stakes confrontation offers no shortage of intrigue, scandal, and potential for unexpected twists. Ultimately, the question remains: who will emerge victorious in this clash of titans? The answer could profoundly influence the future trajectories of two of the most influential women in the world.