Last month, Kate Middleton’s sudden withdrawal from the Royal Ascot reignited widespread concern about her health.
The Princess of Wales’s decision to miss such a prestigious event—especially one involving King Charles—was seen as highly unusual.
At 43, and currently in remission, Kate has been navigating the delicate balance between healing and fulfilling royal duties. Her recent challenges in keeping up with public appearances mirror some of the same struggles Meghan Markle once faced during her own time within the royal institution.
A Strategic Step Back to Rebalance
According to reports, Kate opted to “recalibrate” by sitting out the Royal Ascot. In the lead-up to the event, she had taken part in several major royal engagements, including VE Day commemorations, the Trooping the Colour parade, the King’s birthday celebration, and the historic Order of the Garter ceremony.
Speaking to The Daily Beast, a source explained the toll these engagements had taken: “Wednesday was a wake-up call, not a one-off…
She has never found the public appearances, and the forensic attention and criticism that goes with them, at all easy to deal with, and it was just too much this week.” The pressure to show up while under constant public scrutiny is a burden both Kate and Meghan have had to endure, though their experiences differ.
A History of Struggles Among Royal Women
The same insider described Kate’s recent years as “horrific,” noting that her ongoing health battle and the demands of royal life have understandably worn her down. “It has all taken its toll, and if she needs more time to recover… [Prince] William will fight tooth and nail to see she is given it,” the source added.
Kate’s current struggles reflect a broader pattern seen among royal women. Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson, both outsiders who married into the royal family, also faced intense pressures.
Diana was often photographed at events with visibly red, tear-filled eyes—a haunting image that still lingers in the public consciousness. Meanwhile, Ferguson endured relentless tabloid attacks and was cruelly dubbed the “Duchess of Pork” while battling an eating disorder.
Meghan Markle Recalls the Pressure While Pregnant
More recently, Meghan Markle opened up about her own challenges as a working royal, particularly during her pregnancy with Prince Archie. Speaking on her Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, the former Suits actress reflected on how she was expected to maintain appearances, even in the late stages of pregnancy.
“A friend just said to me the other day, they were like, ‘I just saw this picture I’d forgotten about when you were so pregnant with Archie,’” Markle shared.
She recalled wearing five-inch, pointy-toed stilettos despite her growing bump, and explained that the only way she avoided falling was by “clinging” tightly to Prince Harry. For context, royal protocol discourages royal women from wearing flats during official appearances.
A Shared Reality Behind the Glamour
Though their paths and personal experiences differ, both Kate and Meghan have faced the immense pressure of fulfilling royal roles under a microscope. Whether it’s stepping back for health, navigating protocol while pregnant, or weathering media scrutiny, their stories underscore the often unseen emotional toll of life behind palace walls.