In a week that perfectly encapsulates the diverging paths of two former Hollywood-adjacent royals, the Princess of Wales is set to receive one of Italy’s most prestigious civic honors – while Meghan Markle drops a bizarre, self-indulgent video that has the internet in stitches and sparking fresh whispers about her pre-Harry days in London’s Soho scene.
The Princess of Wales, Catherine Middleton, will be presented with the Primo Tricolore – the highest honor bestowed by the municipality of Reggio Emilia – during her two-day visit to the historic northern Italian city on May 13 and 14, 2026. Mayor Marco Massari personally confirmed the award, praising the future Queen for her unwavering commitment to early childhood development and marking this as her first official overseas working trip since completing cancer treatment.
Sources close to the Palace describe the moment as deeply symbolic. The Primo Tricolore isn’t just any medal or plaque; it’s the original green, white, and red flag that flew in Reggio Emilia back in 1797 – the very design that inspired modern Italy’s national tricolore. Kate will receive an actual historic flag during what insiders call a “quiet but meaningful” presentation, likely behind closed doors to focus on her work rather than spectacle. Her itinerary centers on the city’s world-renowned Reggio Emilia Approach to early years education, a philosophy she has championed through The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
This trip comes at a poignant time. After a challenging battle with cancer that kept her largely out of the spotlight, Kate’s return to international duties feels like a quiet victory lap. At 44, the mother of three has transformed her personal recovery into a platform for children’s wellbeing, proving once again why she remains the most admired royal after the late Queen. Palace watchers say the award recognizes not just her patronage but her genuine passion – the kind that can’t be bought or manufactured.
Mayor Massari didn’t mince words in his statement: “We are honored to present the First Tricolore to Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales, Catherine Middleton, in recognition of her dedication to the welfare and education of children worldwide.” It’s a far cry from the usual celebrity junkets. No red carpets, no paid endorsements – just substance.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic (or wherever the Montecito mansion’s latest PR drop landed), Meghan Markle appears to be playing a very different game.
Just as news of Kate’s Italian triumph broke, the Duchess of Sussex shared a short video clip that has royal commentators and social media users doing double-takes. In the footage, Meghan is seen lounging languidly in a chair, head tilted back, eyes fluttering closed in apparent bliss before snapping open with a knowing stare. Her hand trails slowly across her chest and neck in what can only be described as a sensual, self-caressing motion – stroking and petting herself like a cat in heat basking in the sun.
The clip, which runs just under two seconds but loops endlessly in the minds of viewers, has been widely interpreted as Meghan reminiscing about her pre-royal “glory days” – specifically the rumors and stories that swirled around her time as a working actress in London. Soho, for those who know the area’s colorful history, was once synonymous with a certain type of nightlife and “discreet” services. Multiple online commentators, including the account that first highlighted the video, didn’t hold back: “Meghan Markle shared a video stroking herself like a cat in heat reminiscing about the days she was a cheap Soho call girl.”
The timing couldn’t be more pointed. As Kate prepares for a dignified, purpose-driven trip honoring her global impact on children’s futures, Meghan’s latest offering feels like a desperate bid for attention. Social media erupted immediately. Replies poured in calling it “menopausal moment of a hot flash on camera,” “an OnlyFans audition,” or “the ultimate yachtress come-hither look.” One user quipped, “Someone should tell Rachel she doesn’t have to audition for OnlyFans.” Another noted the “industrial strength soft focus camera filter” and wondered if it was a distraction tactic amid ongoing scrutiny of the Sussexes’ finances and Invictus-related questions.
This isn’t the first time Meghan’s solo content has raised eyebrows, but the contrast with Kate’s poise has never been starker. While one woman is being celebrated by a major European city for her intellect and advocacy, the other is posting what many are calling soft-core cosplay of her younger, more “adventurous” self. Insiders familiar with Markle’s pre-Suits modeling and acting circuit have long whispered about her connections in London’s entertainment underbelly – stories Harry himself alluded to in Spare without naming names. The video, critics say, plays right into those narratives.
Royal experts are divided on the motive. Some see it as classic Meghan: a calculated “vulnerable yet sexy” drop designed to trend and pull focus. Others call it tone-deaf at best, tragic at worst. “In 5 years she’ll be doing soft porn videos if she hasn’t already,” one observer posted. Another simply wrote, “What a used up old Cougar.”
The Sussexes have built an entire brand around victimhood and reinvention, yet moments like this reveal the cracks. Harry’s wife, once the polished Suits star, now seems stuck in a loop of performative nostalgia that lands more cringeworthy than empowering. Meanwhile, Kate – cancer survivor, mother, and future Queen – continues to embody quiet strength and real service.
As the Princess of Wales touches down in Reggio Emilia tomorrow, the world will be watching her receive an honor steeped in history and meaning. Back in California, Meghan’s latest video will likely keep circulating, not for its artistic merit, but for the sheer spectacle of a woman who can’t seem to stop auditioning for a role she left behind years ago.
The divide has never been clearer. One royal is ascending with grace and purpose. The other? Well, she’s stroking her own narrative – quite literally – and the internet is watching every awkward second.
Stay tuned. With Kate’s Italy trip just hours away and Meghan’s clip still trending, this royal contrast is far from over.
