I understand that Meghan was so hyper that there was simply no chance of her being able to sit still for an evening. Breaking news: Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has made her first community visit since completing her cancer treatment. Notably, she chose to visit the site of the Southport Massacre, where she spent half an hour with each family member affected by this tragedy. I must say, she looked absolutely glowing during this visit.
This is how the news was reported on UK TV: Catherine was accompanied by Prince William to meet the families of the three young girls who lost their lives in the knife attack this summer. As you can see, it was a rare public appearance for the Princess, marking her first community engagement since last year and her first since her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy. We last heard from the Princess of Wales a few weeks ago, on September 9, when she announced in a video—filmed alongside her family—that she had finished her chemotherapy and was looking forward to returning to work. She expressed her intention to undertake a few more public engagements in the coming months, focusing on staying cancer-free.
This visit to Southport, where Catherine met the families of those three little girls who tragically died during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, was indeed her first community engagement since announcing her health updates. Of course, she also attended Trooping the Colour in the summer, so it’s great to see Catherine, the Princess of Wales, back in action.
"Wasn't she looking superb?" Stan remarked. "It’s great to see her looking so well!" I'm not surprised they chose such a significant visit for her comeback because William and Catherine are quite strategic. They prefer to focus on specific causes rather than spreading themselves too thin. This way, they can have a more significant impact without overwhelming themselves with too many engagements. There's a noticeable gap in the royal market, where people are looking for someone to attend local events, cut ribbons, or visit community centers.
I think it was an excellent decision for them, and I’m not at all surprised. One of my oldest friends is the mother of someone Pippa married, and she has always spoken highly of Catherine. Catherine is intelligent and focused, though not dramatic. If anything, her personality might lack a bit of excitement, which is a good thing in a way. She has a pleasant demeanor, but she's not as fiery as Meghan. I genuinely hope she can engage in more events, though not too many, as she needs to prioritize her health.
Interestingly, from a PR perspective, it might actually be beneficial for Catherine to do less. Given everything that has happened, she has become a global superstar. William and Catherine share this perspective; they believe that focusing on fewer causes allows them to achieve a greater impact.
Indeed, I believe there are other royal family members who could handle local community events. Unfortunately, due to various reasons, many of them are not active anymore. The Duke of Kent is 89, Princess Alexandra is not functional, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are both in their 80s. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh aren’t exactly in the prime of their lives either. Thus, there’s a significant gap in that market, and I’m just waiting for someone at the palace to have a light bulb moment. Perhaps they believe that by limiting their engagements, they can prioritize the most important activities while removing the lesser ones.
However, I don’t agree with this approach. It seems they are viewing the monarchy through the media's lens, which can be a double-edged sword. The media can choose to publicize royal activities or ignore them altogether. Most of the Princess Royal’s or the Gloucester’s work never gets the media attention it deserves, but that doesn’t negate its value. It’s essential to recognize those efforts, even if they don’t make headlines. That’s one of the royal family's key functions.
Of course, this week has been quite telling, presenting a tale of two princesses. Catherine’s regal and meaningful visit brought hope to those affected by trauma and tragedy. She spent a significant amount of time with every family affected by the Southport Massacre, which could not contrast more sharply with Meghan Markle's recent red carpet appearance in Los Angeles.
There was quite a bit of controversy surrounding Meghan's return, as she left the event shortly after arriving, using it mainly for PR purposes. Unlike Catherine, who invested time in learning about the families’ experiences, Meghan appeared to treat the event as a mere photo opportunity.
Lady Colin Campbell replied, "It was all rather common, vulgar, and dreadful. However, it’s essential to note that this was an arrangement. The organizers knew she wouldn't stay long, and her presence was meant to guarantee publicity for them. Each side was using the other, and I can’t blame the hospital for leveraging her presence. I also understand that she was so hyper that it made sense for her to leave early."
Lady C responded, "I do have a cold, yes. I've noticed more than one person commenting on her odd jaw movements, which they referred to as ‘coke jaw.’ It’s probably just a coincidence, considering her husband has openly discussed drug use."
I noted that Meghan's appearance was certainly peculiar. She made headlines not just for leaving early but for how she used the event as a platform without any genuine interest in connecting with others.
"She’s an opportunist," Lady C said. "This was a mutually beneficial arrangement, and I believe both parties are satisfied with the outcome."
"But it is quite clear she was only there for the publicity," I added.
"Absolutely! It’s almost as if she would attend the opening of an envelope if it served her purpose," Lady C continued. "As for her outfit, it didn’t work. I can’t fathom why she would wear such a style for an event like this."
"Indeed, the entire ensemble raised eyebrows," I agreed. "There are few, if any, occasions when that type of dress would be appropriate for someone in her position. Royal appearances should never be about being sexy; that’s simply not the image to project."
Reflections on Meghan's Past
I was curious about Lady C’s research into Meghan's past, particularly her claims about maintaining friendships from high school. During her red carpet interview, Meghan stated:
"Oh my goodness, the work that they do at Children’s Hospital LA is otherworldly. As a mother, no one wants to be in a position where they have to go to a place like this, but if you must, it’s the best place in the world. I have close friends who still have their children here going through treatments."
"Which high school friends is she referring to?" I asked. "Her kids are a decade or two younger than most of her peers."
Lady C replied, "It’s interesting to consider. Meghan is in her mid-40s, and her children are much younger than her contemporaries' kids. It would be fascinating to know who she’s talking about, especially since it seems no one from that part of her life remains in contact with her. She left that life behind long ago."
I also brought up the recent departure of Meghan's press secretary, Ashley Hansen, the 19th staff member to leave.
Lady C noted, "This departure seems to be more amicable. Ashley isn’t leaving under a cloud but rather as part of an agreed exit. They’ll likely continue to use each other’s services for a while, but we’ll see how that relationship evolves over time."
"And what about King Charles? He’s heading to Australia next week, taking a pause from his cancer treatment. Should we be concerned about his health?"
Lady C considered the question carefully, acknowledging the ongoing rumors surrounding his condition. As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the dynamics within the royal family remain complex, with both public appearances and private struggles playing a significant role in shaping their narratives.
