The pre-Oscars party of 2024, hosted by the esteemed Fashion House St. Lauron, unfolded with unexpected drama.
Anticipation soared as it was disclosed that Robert Downey Jr. personally intervened to bar Megan Markle from attending. Allegedly, his decision was influenced by the ongoing rift between Prince William and Katherine, Princess of Wales. Downey Jr. chose to align himself with the Prince and Princess of Wales, amplifying tensions within the British royal family, which have been extensively chronicled, particularly since Prince Harry and Megan Markle's decision to step back from their senior roles.
Their subsequent candid interviews shed light on the struggles within the Royal Institution, exacerbating tensions between Prince William and Princess Katherine on one side, and Harry and Megan on the other.
The St. Lauron pre-Oscar soiree is an exclusive event graced by Hollywood luminaries and fashion industry elites. The A-list crowd, including Zoe Kravitz, Hailey Bieber, Sarah Mahay, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr., John Hamm, Killian Murphy, Blake Lively, and Rosamund Pike, enjoyed a night of revelry at a private Los Angeles residence in honor of Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer."
However, rumors swirled that Megan Markle was barred from attending at Robbie Downey Jr.'s behest. Downey Jr.'s surprising decision stemmed from his support for Prince William and Catherine, admiring the Royal couple's advocacy for mental health. He felt disillusioned by what he perceived as Megan and Harry's damaging betrayal of the royal family.
The fallout between Downey Jr. and Markle has seen various Hollywood stars distancing themselves from the former royal couple, choosing to support the King and Prince William instead. Expert Josh Rah claims that as the Sussexes attempt to build their Hollywood careers, they're experiencing rifts with celebrities left and right, as Hollywood peers opt to side with Harry's father and older brother.
Rah highlighted that while the Sussexes strive to retain relevance in Tinseltown with ventures like their Netflix and Spotify contracts, it's actually William who attended the baptis in London, an incredibly star-studded event this year. The baptis seemingly marked a date night for many nominated stars, including Carrie Mulligan with her husband, singer Marcus Mumford, and Robert Downey Jr. with his wife, Susan.
Meanwhile, Harry and Megan recently launched a new website as part of their Sussex Rebrand. Mr. Rah pointed out the irony that despite their efforts to make it in Hollywood, it's the King and Prince William who are garnering more support from the stage and screen. He also noted that while Megan had some success from starring in the hit legal drama "Suits," she only rose to international prominence after joining the royal family, suggesting that her pre-royal fame was not at the level of Angelina Jolie's. Allegations of a clash between Downey Jr. and Markle lend credence to Mr. Rah's claims, underscoring the enduring division within the British royal family and its broader implications.
