Duchess accused of overshadowing royal tour with launch of new media project
Meghan Markle has sparked fresh royal controversy following the announcement of her new podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, which is set to debut on April 8 — right in the middle of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s historic state visit to Italy.
According to reports, the timing of Meghan’s launch has caused disappointment within royal circles, particularly as the King and Queen prepare for high-level engagements in Rome and Ravenna from April 7 to 10, including a planned audience with Pope Francis and a black-tie state banquet hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Adding personal significance to the royal trip, the couple will also mark their 20th wedding anniversary while abroad, on April 9.
Sources claim that King Charles and Queen Camilla are “hurt” by the potential distraction posed by Meghan’s announcement, which comes amid other sensitive issues facing the monarchy.
This isn’t the first time the Sussexes have been accused of overshadowing royal milestones. In 2022, the trailer for their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan dropped during the Prince and Princess of Wales' Earthshot Prize visit to Boston. Similarly, in 2019, Meghan reportedly upset Camilla by allowing the release of photos from a private visit on the same day the Queen Consort was leading a campaign against domestic violence.
With Meghan’s podcast launch again coinciding with a major royal event, tensions appear to be resurfacing — adding a fresh layer of strain to an already complex family dynamic.
