Meghan Markle has been unable to arrange a meeting with Amal Clooney with sources claiming the Duchess of Sussex had hoped to reconnect with the prominent human rights lawyer as she seeks to strengthen her humanitarian profile.
According to claims shared by Rob Shuter, Meghan was keen to meet Amal, who is married to actor George Clooney, but the proposed encounter did not materialise.
The reported setback comes as Meghan has been seen reconnecting with people during recent visits to Britain, including her meeting with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai at Claridge’s in London.
An insider suggested that a meeting with Amal would have created a high-profile moment for Meghan, particularly given the lawyer’s international work on human rights and justice.
“Meghan couldn’t arrange tea with Amal, so Malala became the next best thing,” the source claimed.
The allegation has not been independently verified, and neither Meghan nor Amal has publicly commented on the reported meeting request.
Meghan’s encounter with Malala nevertheless attracted attention, with some commentators interpreting the appearance as an opportunity for the Duchess to highlight her interest in humanitarian causes.
A separate source previously claimed that the choice of venue and company was deliberate, suggesting Meghan wanted the public to focus on her charitable ambitions rather than the continuing debate surrounding her relationship with the Royal Family.
There is no confirmed evidence that the meeting with Malala was arranged as a substitute for an encounter with Amal, however, or that Meghan intended the outing to generate publicity.
The renewed speculation comes against the backdrop of reports that the Sussexes lost contact with some high-profile friends after relocating to Montecito, California, and stepping back from working royal duties in 2020.
Their relationship with David and Victoria Beckham has also been the subject of public speculation, although the private details of any disagreements have not been fully established.
For Meghan, building relationships with prominent figures in philanthropy and advocacy could offer opportunities to highlight causes she supports. However, claims that she is deliberately seeking a defining moment similar to Princess Diana’s humanitarian legacy remain interpretations attributed to unnamed sources.
Diana became internationally recognised for her charitable work, including her advocacy surrounding landmines and her visits to people affected by HIV and AIDS. Any comparison with Meghan’s current activities should be treated cautiously, as the two women’s public roles and circumstances differ.
The source’s claims also suggest Meghan wants to maintain an international profile despite King Charles having confirmed that she and Harry would no longer undertake working royal duties. That arrangement does not prevent the couple from pursuing independent charitable or commercial projects.
Neither the alleged attempt to arrange tea with Amal nor the suggestion that Malala was a second choice has been confirmed by the people involved.
For now, Meghan’s meeting with Malala remains the clearest public development, while the claims about Amal reflect unverified accounts of the Duchess’s reported plans. Whether Meghan is seeking further high-profile humanitarian partnerships has yet to be established through any new announcement.
