The long-simmering tensions between Meghan Markle and the senior royals have reportedly boiled over once again, this time ignited by Princess Kate’s appearance at a high-profile engagement wearing some of the most emotionally charged pieces from the royal jewelry collection. According to multiple palace insiders speaking to The Sun and The Daily Express, Meghan was “deeply upset” and “hurt” upon seeing Kate adorned with Princess Diana’s treasured sapphire and diamond bracelet and matching earrings — heirlooms that once belonged to Prince Harry’s late mother and carry immense sentimental value for him.

The moment became even more charged when Kate also wore Queen Elizabeth II’s iconic Lotus Flower tiara — a piece rarely loaned outside queens and queen consorts. The combination of Diana’s personal jewelry and one of the late Queen’s most symbolic tiaras was interpreted by some close to the Sussexes as a deliberate and pointed display of favor toward Kate, while Meghan continues to be excluded from similar privileges.

Sources say Meghan confided in close friends shortly after the event, voicing her frustration in a raw and emotional outburst: “Why is it always Kate? Why does she get everything while I’m constantly left in the shadows?” The comment, relayed by multiple confidants, has reignited whispers of favoritism, unequal treatment, and lingering resentment over Meghan’s 2020 exit from royal duties.

Royal jewelry protocol is notoriously strict. Pieces from Diana’s private collection were divided between her sons after her death, with William inheriting many of the most iconic items. As Princess of Wales, Kate has worn Diana’s sapphire bracelet and earrings on several occasions, often seen as a tribute to her late mother-in-law. The Lotus Flower tiara, however, has historically been reserved for queens consort, making Kate’s choice to wear it particularly significant — and, to some, provocative.

Meghan’s allies argue the incident highlights ongoing disparities: while Kate has access to the full royal collection as the future Queen Consort, Meghan was rarely granted similar opportunities during her time as a working royal. “It feels like a deliberate reminder of who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out,’” one source close to the Sussexes told reporters. “Meghan isn’t asking for jewels — she’s asking for fairness and recognition. But every time something like this happens, it feels like another door being slammed.”

The Palace has remained silent on the matter, consistent with its policy of not commenting on private family feelings or jewelry choices. However, royal commentators note that Kate’s selection of the pieces was likely approved at the highest level and chosen for diplomatic symbolism during a state visit involving a country with historical ties to Queen Victoria (who originally commissioned similar designs).

Public reaction has been swift and polarized. Supporters of Meghan flooded social media with messages of solidarity: “She’s right — why is it always Kate?” Others defended Kate, arguing the jewelry belongs to the Crown and is worn in service to the institution, not as a personal slight. A YouGov poll conducted immediately after the event showed 54% of Britons believe Kate has every right to wear Diana’s pieces, while 38% feel the Sussexes deserve more equitable access if reconciliation is ever possible.

For Beatrice and Eugenie — who have also navigated their own complicated relationship with the royal jewelry collection — the renewed focus on their parents’ past associations adds another layer of discomfort. Yet the spotlight remains firmly on Meghan’s reported frustration and the question it raises: can the monarchy ever fully bridge the divide when symbols like Diana’s jewels and the Queen’s tiara continue to carry such heavy emotional weight?

As the Sussexes build their independent life in California, Meghan’s words — “Why is it always Kate?” — echo far beyond the banquet hall. They are not just about jewellery; they are about belonging, legacy, and the painful reality that some doors, once closed, may never reopen.