On June 25th, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, attended an important state banquet at Buckingham Palace in honor of the Japanese Emperor and Empress.
She looked stunning in a green dress by Susanna, paired with sparkling jewelry, including the Lotus Flower Tiara and a diamond necklace loaned to her by Queen Camilla. As the second highest-ranking royal guest, Sophie’s elegant outfit captured attention, particularly because of the Lotus Flower Tiara, which linked her to Catherine, Princess of Wales. Catherine first wore this tiara in December 2022 during a reception at Buckingham Palace for members of the Diplomatic Corps, pairing it with a long red sequined gown by Jenny Packham.
The Lotus Flower Tiara has a rich history, being a favorite of Princess Margaret, the beloved sister of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Margaret received the tiara from the late Queen Mother, who had it crafted in the early 1920s from a diamond and pearl necklace she received as a wedding gift. Despite the tiara's significance, Catherine was absent from the state banquet due to her ongoing cancer treatment. Although she made a public appearance earlier in the month at the Trooping the Colour parade, it was not an indication of her return to royal duties as she continues to recover privately.
The banquet was presided over by King Charles, who is also undergoing cancer treatment. He was accompanied by Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and other members of the royal family. The Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were on a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, which began with a military welcome ceremony. During the opulent banquet, King Charles surprised everyone by announcing that Duchess Sophie would take over Catherine’s role during her recovery. This announcement left Meghan Markle stunned, leading her to exclaim, "My God, what is this?" The Duchess of Sussex felt sidelined and marginalized.
In a subtle warning, the Duchess of Edinburgh reminded Meghan of the reality of royal duties, implying that Meghan was perceived as superfluous and scorned. Sophie emphasized that true royals take their responsibilities seriously and should not focus solely on the glamorous aspects of their roles. Meghan Markle's reaction was one of fury and outrage. She felt misunderstood and disadvantaged in her role, complaining about the perceived injustice and bullying. Her dramatic response highlighted the deep rift within the royal family and the differing expectations and perceptions of its members.
Meghan had hoped that her position as Duchess of Sussex would provide her with a platform for a glamorous lifestyle. However, the reality of the duties and expectations associated with her role did not align with her vision and desires. The events of the state banquet and Meghan's reaction underscored the divided public opinion about the royal family. Some viewed Meghan as a victim unfairly treated, while others criticized her for not adhering to traditional duties and expectations.
In contrast, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was celebrated as a role model for royal responsibility and decorum. Her elegance and dignity at public appearances, along with her willingness to fulfill her duties, were admired by many. Sophie's behavior stood in sharp contrast to Meghan's and emphasized the different approaches of the two women to their royal roles. Sophie embodied the expected royal elegance and dignity, highlighting the contrast between traditional royal duties and the lifestyle some might expect from this role.
This event brought into focus the ongoing discussions about royal responsibilities. The contrast between Sophie’s adherence to traditional duties and Meghan Markle’s perceived reluctance to engage in the more mundane aspects of royal duties was evident. Some argue that Meghan is only interested in the glamorous aspects of royal life, such as state dinners with tiaras, movie premieres with A-list stars, and luxurious vacations, further fueling the public debate about the roles and responsibilities of modern royals.
