Meghan Markle Faces Fresh Setback As Martha Stewart Stands By Her Remarks
Meghan Markle has reportedly suffered a fresh blow after Martha Stewart refused to back down from her comments about the Duchess allegedly discussing her recent UK visit at a California dinner.
The latest development has reportedly complicated Meghan’s efforts to prevent the issue from growing, with sources claiming that she had hoped the situation could be resolved quietly before it created further attention.
According to a report by Rob Shuter, the Duchess had attempted to reach out to Martha directly in an effort to clear the air and avoid allowing the disagreement to develop into a larger issue.
Sources cited by Shuter claimed that Meghan “doesn’t want this to become a bigger thing” and “doesn’t want this hanging over them” as she continues to focus on her family and professional projects.
The controversy began after Martha appeared to reference Meghan’s recent return from the UK during a People Magazine interview, prompting speculation about whether details of the Sussexes’ private meeting with King Charles had been discussed publicly.
Harry and Meghan travelled to the UK last month with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet for a private meeting with Charles at Highgrove House, an occasion that reportedly marked an important step in the family’s attempts to rebuild relations.
The meeting was understood to have been carefully arranged, with reports suggesting that privacy was considered particularly important because Charles wanted the reunion with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren to remain out of the public spotlight.
Martha’s comments therefore attracted attention because she appeared to suggest that Meghan had spoken about the royal visit while attending a dinner party in California where both women were present.
The lifestyle guru said Meghan did not directly speak to her at length about the matter, but indicated that she knew the royal meeting was being discussed during the gathering.
Her remarks were subsequently met with questions from people close to Meghan, who reportedly suggested that Martha may have been “confused” about what she had heard or what Meghan had actually been discussing.
The situation became even more complicated after the host of the dinner reportedly contacted People and described Martha’s account as “simply untrue,” adding another layer of uncertainty to the claims surrounding the gathering.
Despite the pushback, Martha does not appear to be changing her position, according to the latest report from Shuter, meaning Meghan’s reported attempt to quietly resolve the matter may not have produced the desired result.
“Martha said what she said,” an insider told Rob Shuter. “She was there, she remembers the conversation and she has no reason to invent it.”
There has been no independent confirmation that Meghan disclosed any confidential details about her meeting with Charles, and neither the Sussexes nor Buckingham Palace has publicly accused her of breaking any agreement.
For Meghan, however, the continuing dispute could prove frustrating as she and Harry attempt to maintain privacy around their renewed contact with the Royal Family, while Martha’s decision to stand by her comments ensures that questions about what was said at the dinner are unlikely to disappear immediately.
