Lifestyle businesswoman Martha Stewart told People magazine in early August that she met Meghan Markle at a dinner party in California following the royal family trip.
Stewart said she crossed paths with the Duchess of Sussex after Prince Harry and Meghan returned from a summer visit to the United Kingdom, where Harry met with his father, King Charles III. Stewart noted that while she spoke with Meghan only briefly, she was aware that the Duchess was discussing her visit to Buckingham Palace.
"We were both guests at a dinner party in California," Stewart told People magazine. "She had just gotten back from the palace. I didn't talk to her really more than to say a couple words, but I know she was talking about it."
A source close to Meghan quickly disputed Stewart's account of the evening, telling People magazine that the description was false and that Meghan did not dwell on her European trip.
"I sat next to Meghan at the dinner party, and this account of what happened is simply untrue," the friend of Markle told People magazine. "Meghan didn't talk about her European vacation other than to say the family had a great time."
The source added that Meghan holds Martha Stewart in high regard, stating: "Meghan has always been a fan of Martha's and enjoyed getting to meet her briefly at the dinner."
Stewart also offered critical commentary regarding Meghan's career transition into television cookery and lifestyle branding, questioning the trajectory from acting to royalty and then to a television home maker.
"If you're an actress, it's hard to then transition to a princess and then from a princess into a homemaking guru on a television show," Stewart told People magazine. "It doesn't sort of follow. So go from there."
Stewart built her lifestyle empire after working as a model and stockbroker before launching a catering business in Connecticut. Meghan, a former actress on television drama Suits, married Prince Harry in 2018 before the couple stepped back from royal duties and relocated to Montecito, California.
The Sussexes have experienced shifts in their commercial endeavors, including the conclusion of their podcast and streaming deals alongside struggles with lifestyle product sales. The couple previously released Harry's 2023 memoir Spare and participated in a high-profile 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. Reports indicate Meghan plans to run her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from global locations.
Oprah Winfrey Re-examines 2021 Royal Interview
Television host Oprah Winfrey recently reflected on her landmark March 2021 television interview with Meghan during a new interview with Vanity Fair magazine.
During the original 2021 broadcast, Meghan alleged that she had experienced bullying within the Royal Family. Winfrey famously asked Meghan whether she had been "silent" or "silenced" by the royal institution, to which Meghan replied, "the latter."
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Winfrey addressed her reasoning behind asking the specific question during the televised special.
"I wanted to be clear because, was she silenced? Were people telling her not to talk? That's why I said that," Winfrey told Vanity Fair. "I said it for clarification because I didn't want later to hear, 'Well, no, it wasn't that. It really was that I was silenced. They wouldn't let me talk.' So, it was all for clarification."
Brooklyn Beckham Covers Up Family Tattoos
Media personality Brooklyn Beckham has altered body art on his chest and arm that previously paid tribute to his parents, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham.
Beckham covered a tattoo on his chest that originally read "mama's boy" with a new design featuring flowers. He made a similar modification to a tattoo reading "Dad" located on his right arm, replacing the previous ink.
Gayle King Criticises Hayden Panettiere Mother
Television presenter Gayle King publicly criticized Lesley Panettiere, the mother of late actress Hayden Panettiere, during a live television broadcast on Wednesday.
King's comments followed public statements by Lesley Panettiere describing her departed daughter as an "amazingly talented person" who had "lost her way."
Addressing viewers on-air, King reacted strongly to the mother's public remarks about her late daughter.
"You know, guys, you read this and all I can think is, 'Thanks, Mom, for nothing,'" King said during the Wednesday broadcast.
Kathy Griffin Angry Over Late Night Guest Spot
Comedian Kathy Griffin expressed anger toward her former friend Rosie O'Donnell after being left off the guest list for Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week.
Griffin was angry that O'Donnell did not book her as a guest while O'Donnell was serving as guest host on the late-night television program in place of host Jimmy Kimmel.
Justin Trudeau Filmed Dancing in Hardware Store
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was captured on video dancing inside a retail hardware store while holding a plumbing plunger.
Trudeau was filmed swinging the plunger inside the shop while a song recorded by his aspiring rapper son played over the store public address system.
John Stamos Shares 63rd Birthday Photo
Actor John Stamos marked his 63rd birthday by sharing a bathroom selfie on social media.
The former Full House star, known for playing Uncle Jesse on the popular sitcom, shared the nearly nude photograph alongside the brief caption "63."
FBI Serves Search Warrant on Eric Swalwell
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents executed a federal search warrant targeting former Congressman Eric Swalwell in San Francisco on Saturday.
The federal action follows allegations from four women who have accused Swalwell of sexual improprieties, including drugging and rape. Swalwell has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Over the same weekend, federal agents executed a separate search warrant at Swalwell's residence in Washington, D.C., seizing electronic devices as part of the investigation. The matter mentions former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
