Why Meghan Markles appearance at the Variety Power of Women event is so unusual (2024)

Why Meghan Markles appearance at the Variety Power of Women event is so unusual (1)

Of all the arduous duties a workaday member of the royal family can expect to take on, up there with boat-launching, tree-planting, and inaugural sod-turning, is red carpet-walking.

Since George VI decided to toddle along to the premiere of A Matter of Life and Death in 1946, Kings, Queens and HRHs have regularly been turning up at glitzy opening nights to fly the flag for Britain and to enjoy the popcorn gratis (one always likes a freebie).

In the 76 years since then, various members of the ensemble cast of the royal family have been walking red carpets to Do Their Bit.

The emphasis here should be on the ‘walking’ part, a detail that has been thrown into fascinating relief by former royal toiler Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

Long having ditched the dreary grey skies of Windsor for the ‘freedom’ of Montecito, the former Suits star has been quietly transforming herself into quite the Hollywood habitué over the course of this year. She’s gotten herself an A-list agent (WME’s Ari Emanuel), some new A-list pals (Cameron Diaz, Kris Jenner) and seems busy garnering A-list contacts (rocket- fancier and midlife crisis-haver Jeff Bezos; Netflix boss Ted Sarandos).

Over the weekend, Meghan turned up to do some more power shoulder-rubbing, this time

at Variety’s Power of Women event. (Who wants to bet that not a single bread roll was

consumed in the entire room?)

However it was what the duchess did on the red carpet – or, more accurately, the very dark navy carpet – that really signals she’s chucked away every last vestige of her palace identity

and has gone Full Hollywood.

She stopped. And started. And stopped again.

Or more precisely, the duchess did what everyone from an East Enders bit player desperate to make next week’s Hello! social pages to an Oscar-winner does, which is to pause at different points on the red carpet, pose and then move a couple of paces forward to repeat – the old “step and repeat,” as it’s known in the biz.

The duchess’ diversion from the royal norm didn’t end there with the 42-year-old also stopping to chat to microphone-wielding reporters from Entertainment Tonight, who referred to her onscreen as ‘Meghan Markle’, and Variety who asked her about her time on Suits.

Get your ‘Sussex firsts’ annal out because we have a new entry.

While Meghan and her husband Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex have attended glitzy events in recent years, they have either not stopped and posed at all – such as their 2021 appearance at the Intrepid Museum’s Annual Salute To Freedom Gala:

Or have done a quickie front-on pose, such as at 2022’s Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awards or at this year’s Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards:

But, this weekend’s Variety pose-a-thon is a different situation entirely, serving as a resounding rejection of Meghan’s ole royal modus operandi and a wholesale embracing of a modus Hollywood.

For a spot of comparing and contrasting, cast your mind back to this year’s BAFTAs in February when Kate, the Princess of Wales gave her other half, and the man singularly bringing back the velvet blazer Prince William, the Prince of Wales a saucy little bottom pat.

The Waleses strode past the banks of photographers like they were worried about getting dodgy seats.

The same went at last year’s Top Gun: Maverick premiere (sans any touchy-feely monkey business) or when the prince and princess left their children at home in the care of only a full-time nanny, housekeeper and entire retinue of staff to take in the No Time To Die premiere in September 2021 alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The foursome posed for a very brief moment at the top of the steps and then they were off like rockets inside, intent on getting their choc tops before Rami Malek ate them all.

Even at Kate’s own events, she doesn’t actually ‘do’ the media wall in industry parlance or speak to the press, such as at her world-leading Shaping Us National Symposium last week or at the Together at Christmas carol service the princess hosts annually at Westminster Abbey.

The palace message in all of this: We are royal, and we do not need to gauchely and oh so blatantly court publicity. (Though we will use a multitude of other crafty means to sell this monarchy caper to the proles any chance we get.)

However, Meghan and Harry now exist in this strange liminal space between royalty and celebrity, neither fish nor fowl, neither quite fully one or the other.

Never mind, the former actress has clearly picked the side of the coin she prefers and it does not mean ever having to sit through a Commonwealth Day service in a teetering hat.

Meghan’s red carpet dallying at the Variety bash could not have signalled louder where her allegiance now lies; that she has thrown her lot in entirely in with the entertainment industry and their capacious purses. Windsor, who? Corgi, what?

Events of the last few months would suggest that the Duchess of Sussex is looking to grow her Hollywood and all round powerplayer Rolodex. When she turned up to see Beyoncé, for the second time inside of a week, in September, it was to take in the show in the VIP section alongside Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, cringey couple Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, and Netflix boss Ted Sarandos.

It has also been reported that the Sussexes had “hung out” with Marvel star Chris Evans and his wife Alba Baptista after meeting while in Portugal.

In early October, Meghan and Harry attended Kevin Costner’s charity bash along with Oprah Winfrey and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine.

In November, when the Sussexes did a Saturday night roundtrip private jet jaunt to Las Vegas it was with Cameron Diaz, Benji Madden, Bumble founder and self-made billionaire Whitney Wolfe Herd and her husband oil heir Michael Herd.

The duke was photographed sitting with Wall Street billionaire (and Republican mega-donor) Ken Griffin. at the Katy Perry concert they were all there to see.

The Sussexes also reportedly “partied” with Michael Kives, who is a former aide to both Hillary and Bill Clinton, and former Hollywood agent who now runs an investment fund and is reportedly a “powerbroker”.

We haven’t even gotten to the names from the Variety bash: Meghan was photographed with Janet Yang, who is the President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and was seated next to Pearlena Igbokwe, the chairman of Universal Studio Group which runs NBC, for the actual dinner.

So much power, so many head honchos, so little gluten.

The question in all of this big name paling around with, is, is this the sort of life that Harry and Meghan have wanted to build all along and are finally getting around to? Or is what we are seeing the product of Sussex necessity?

Celebrity, after all, is like an indoor plant that needs a certain amount of tending and watering. With their royal stocks having dwindled to next to nothing, does the couple have no choice but to play the Hollywood game and to make nice at events such as this?

We have also gotten this far and have not even pondered – where is Harry in all of this? Sensibly skipping the Ahi tuna starters and vapid industry small-talk to stay home to watch

Southern Charm repeats?

More Coverage

Or possibly: Coming to the small screen again soon. Because love don’t cost a thing – but power bills and private jet flights and mortgages do.

Daniela Elser is a writer, editor and a royal commentator with more than 15 years’

experience working with a number of Australia’s leading media titles.

Read related topics:Meghan Markle

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Why Meghan Markles appearance at the Variety Power of Women event is so unusual (2024)

FAQs

What does Camilla think about Meghan Markle? ›

The day after the public announcement, Camilla told news cameras that she was "absolutely thrilled" that Harry and Meghan were marrying. "It's brilliant, and as I said, America's loss is our gain, and we're all absolutely delighted," she said.

Are Oprah and Meghan Markle still friends? ›

via The US Sun, “A-list stars are dropping like flies. Some already have done — Oprah no longer seems involved with them and some other celebrities have also dropped them." He explained that the couple no longer have a close relationship with Winfrey.

What did Meghan Markle struggle with? ›

During a CBS interview with Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, about their new Parents' Network program, Markle said there is still more to discuss when opening up about her struggles with suicide to the media.

Is Meghan Markle really 5-6? ›

She and Harry have one child, a son named Archie. Meghan Markle is 5 foot 6 inches (1.68 m) tall.

What does Queen Camilla think of Harry? ›

"Camilla dislikes Harry and doesn't want Charles to get stressed while he's undergoing treatment, so she tries to limit interaction,” a source claimed as per OK magazine.

What did Camilla say about Meghan and Harry's wedding? ›

Camilla was asked about the royal wedding, which had taken place in May, and the moment her husband walked Meghan down the aisle. Harry told Charles, "Thank you, Pa," after his father escorted Meghan to the high altar of St. George's Chapel. After rewatching the moment, Camilla said it was "very touching."

Are Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle friends? ›

"Meghan Markle not in touch with Princess"

Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told 'Fox News' that the estranged sisters-in-law will “never be friends.” He said Meghan Markle has not been in contact with the Princess of Wales.

Is Meghan still friends with Abigail Spencer? ›

After all, the Grey's Anatomy actress previously shared that she counts the Duchess of Sussex, 42, as one of her "dearest friends." "Look, she's a phenomenon," Abigail exclusively told E! News in February. "She's the most wonderful."

Is Lilibet Harry's daughter? ›

Meghan and Harry's Daughter Lilibet Diana Celebrated Her Birthday With Friends.

How much does Meghan Markle weigh? ›

Fred Pescatore (who doesn't treat her) estimates that the 5-foot-6 duchess currently weighs about 100 pounds, down 20 in the last year.

Does Prince Harry suffer from anxiety? ›

It isn't the first time Harry has discussed his struggle with panic attacks, previously speaking candidly about his mental health, which includes experiencing severe anxiety and panic attacks while trying to perform is royal duties.

How much did Meghan Markle settle for? ›

Status: Duchess Meghan won her case. In February 2021, Meghan won and received a symbolic 1 British pound, or around $1.24, for the victory, which her lawyers said was mostly about the principle of privacy.

Has Meghan ever been a princess? ›

In the same way that Meghan became a duchess upon her marriage because her husband is a duke, so too did she legally become a princess because her husband is a prince. Legally, Meghan is "Princess Henry" (Harry's real name) but is not known as such because her Duchess of Sussex title takes precedence.

How high is Meghan Markle? ›

The Mirror explains that although Meghan isn't considered "short" with her 5'6'' frame, she kind of is in comparison to Prince Harry, who towers at 6'1", and the rest of her new family. Meanwhile, Prince William stands at a tall 6'3'', while his wife Kate Middleton, at 5'9", does not shy away from heels either.

What is the height difference between Kate and William? ›

As a reminder, William is said to be 6′ 3″ while Middleton is reported to be 5′ 9″. In the new video, however, the duo seems much closer in height.

How does Prince William feel about Camilla? ›

William “tolerates” his stepmother, who “has always been a little afraid of” him, as royal expert Christopher Andersen told Us Weekly. Even so, the 42-year-old heir to the British throne “has warmed up to Camilla over time,” according to a Parker Bowles family friend.

Are Camilla and Harry close? ›

William's relationship with Camilla has evolved, but she and Harry remain estranged. While promoting Spare in a January 2023 interview with Good Morning America, Harry admittedly said it had been “a long time” since he'd spoken to Camilla, but said of her that “She's my stepmother.

Has Camilla been accepted by the royal family? ›

In spite of this, it transpired Queen Elizabeth II gave her approval to it before her death. The endorsement was widely seen as a formal sign that the royal family had finally accepted Camilla as a respected senior member.

Why would Camilla be queen? ›

It Was Always Clear That Camilla Could Become Queen if She Wanted to. That's Queen Elizabeth's mother, aka King George VI's wife, aka the Queen Consort. This is a super-common title for the spouse of a ruling king, and it becomes official during their coronation.

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