By Katherine Tinsley
2:44pm PST, Nov 11, 2025
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Meghan Markle shocked fans when it was announced that she would be returning to acting and making a cameo in the upcoming film
Close Personal Friends. Additionally, the Duchess of Sussex shared on Instagram that As Ever is available at a physical store — all before
Prince William gave a speech at The Earthshot Prize Awards in Brazil.
"I've actually always defended her before," PR expert Renae Smith told
Daily Express. "I've never believed she's sitting at home with the royal diary open, plotting counter-announcements, but it's happening so often now that it's hard to keep calling it a coincidence."
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"Whether intentional or not, someone on her team seems to be tracking royal moments and slotting her headlines in alongside them," Renae Smith continued. "It's starting to look calculated, and that's dangerous."
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who constantly criticize the monarchy, have a history of making formal announcements during important royal events.
"If it is intentional, it's a bad play," Renae Smith said. "When your public narrative starts to look like it's competing with someone else's, you lose control of your own brand."
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"Even if it's not deliberate, perception becomes reality, and right now, that perception is that Meghan's always trying to upstage the royals," Renae Smith continued. "If I were advising her team, I'd say 'Please pull back.'"
