The News
**Royal Fashion Drama Unfolds at the 2023 Commonwealth Service**
The 2023 Commonwealth service unfolded with relative peace for the British royals, despite the backdrop of protests near Westminster Abbey.
Brittany from the Royal News Network described the protests as incredibly noisy while she provided on-site coverage.
The gathering showcased the senior working royals coming together in a rare display of unity.
Notably, it marked the first senior royal assembly following Prince Edward's appointment to the Edinburgh Dukedom.
Among the attendees, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, stood out for their impeccable style.
This year's Commonwealth service marked the second such event since the easing of the pandemic restrictions.
Notably absent were a certain couple who had also skipped the previous year's service, much to the relief of the attending royals.
The proceedings of the Commonwealth service proceeded smoothly without any disruptions.
However, a subtle moment of tension arose when Catherine seemingly made a veiled reference to Meghan's alleged attempt to claim one of her preferred designers.
During the event, Kate made a fashion statement by donning a chic floral jacket and matching skirt designed by Erdem Moralioglu, one of her favored designers.
Earlier reports had surfaced suggesting that both Meghan and Kate admired Erdem's creations.
Speculation arose when Erdem purportedly favored Kate over Meghan, causing discontent within the Sussex household.
Meghan reportedly expressed frustration over not receiving the same attention from the designer, despite her admiration for his work dating back to her acting career.
Erdem's bold and pattern-centric designs have garnered mixed reviews, with some critics labeling them as excessive.
Rumors circulated that Erdem declined to create a coronation outfit for Meghan, further fueling the fashion drama.
The Sussexes, formerly holding key positions within the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, were stripped of their roles by the late Queen in February 2021.
Commonwealth Day 2020 marked their final official engagement before they transitioned away from senior royal duties to pursue a new life in North America.
Ahead of the Commonwealth service, logistical documents indicated that William and Kate were slated to join the main royal procession into the Abbey, while no mention was made of Harry and Meghan participating.
This discrepancy reportedly led William and Kate to forego their procession walk in an effort to address the situation, contrary to the initial plans outlined in the service orders.
According to royal expert Tom Bower's book, “Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors,” tensions escalated when palace officials decided to exclude Harry and Meghan from the procession, leading to a public rift.
The unfolding events at the Commonwealth service laid bare the strained relationships within the royal family.
As the members entered the Abbey, visible tensions surfaced, with Kate appearing aloof towards the Sussexes and William offering a chilly reception.
The atmosphere was palpably tense, with Harry looking visibly stressed and Meghan displaying a mix of confusion and surprise.