Duchess’s Confident Speech Marked the First Signs of a Royal Rift
When Prince William and Harry appeared on stage alongside their partners, Catherine and Meghan Markle, for their first joint public engagement on February 28, 2018, royal fans cheered the Fab Four, anticipating a new era of modern monarchy. The Royal Foundation Forum was intended to showcase their charitable vision, while also serving as Meghan’s unofficial introduction to royal duties.
While the event projected unity, underlying tensions soon became apparent. Meghan, still months away from officially joining the royal family, made headlines with a bold speech on women’s empowerment, urging women to use their voices rather than find them—aligning herself with the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
Harry strongly supported Meghan’s message, but royal experts noted a contrast between her outspoken approach and Catherine’s more reserved style. Reports later suggested that Catherine appeared uncomfortable during the event, with biographer Tom Bower claiming her body language hinted at deeper strains within the group.
What was meant to be a moment of unity instead foreshadowed division. Within months, the Fab Four image faded as Harry and Meghan distanced themselves from the foundation. Their eventual royal exit cemented this event as one of the earliest signs of the growing rift between the Sussexes and the Waleses.
