Prince Harry’s much-anticipated memoir, “Spare,” is set to hit the shelves on Tuesday, and it’s not without its share of intriguing revelations.
Among the many narratives, one particularly “awkward moment” stands out, shedding light on the relationship between his wife, Meghan Markle, and his sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.
It seems the royal family‘s dynamics are more complicated than one might assume, as an interaction that transpired ahead of a Royal Foundation event in 2018 is recounted with stark detail.
Meghan, having neglected to bring her lip gloss — described by Harry as an “American thing” — asked Kate to borrow some.
The request, though seemingly trivial, led to an intriguing situation.
According to Harry’s account, Kate was taken aback by Meghan’s request.
He describes how Kate, seemingly hesitant, rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a small tube of lip gloss, which she reluctantly handed over.
Meghan then dabbed a bit on her finger and applied it to her lips, a moment that left Kate visibly uncomfortable.
In his writing, Harry reflects on the incident, suggesting that when Kate grimaced at Meghan’s usage of her gloss, it signified deeper tensions brewing within their relationship.
He notes that Kate might have felt pressure to hold her own in light of Meghan’s entry into the royal family, hinting that this moment was the beginning of a more profound rivalry between the two women.
Harry elaborates that such moments should have been laughed off, yet the media quickly sensed discontent, and rumors spiraled from there.
He speculates that Kate was already on edge, navigating her royal duties while now facing comparison with Meghan, who had emerged from a different cultural backdrop.
The memoir dives into Harry’s desire to cultivate a close-knit group, a “Fab Four” comprising himself, Meghan, William, and Kate.
His dreams, however, were met with skepticism from William.
“Slow down,” Harry recalls his brother warning him, which illustrated a significant friction even before the couples began mingling as a unit.
Now, Harry’s memoir doesn’t stop at family anecdotes.
It also uncovers rather personal insights about Harry’s relationship with other royals, including his father, King Charles, who he states never comforted him after their mother, Princess Diana, passed away.
Additionally, he makes sharp claims against Camilla Parker Bowles, alleging she repurposed his bedroom into her own dressing room at Clarence House.
The latest tidbit regarding Kate and Meghan’s lip gloss exchange has sparked a social media frenzy.
Viral clips on TikTok featuring Harry’s audiobook excerpt capturing the moment have garnered thousands of likes and sparked discussions about royal etiquette and personal boundaries.
Many are commenting on whether it’s appropriate to lend such an intimate item as lip gloss.
Responses range from disbelief to humorous anecdotes about sharing beauty products with friends.
It certainly raises the question: should Meghan have considered asking at all?
In addition to highlighting this incident, Harry’s memoir reveals the many challenges both couples faced under the royal spotlight.
Despite Harry’s intention to present a candid portrayal, he has received backlash for the revelations, particularly regarding private interactions and communications that the public was likely never meant to know.
Kate, for her part, has remained silent regarding the grievances laid out by Harry.
This non-disclosure mirrors the approach taken by Buckingham Palace amidst the swirling controversy generated by the memoir.
Meghan has her own perspective on the formality that prevailed when she first got to know the royal family.
In their Netflix docuseries, she recalls feeling under-prepared for the strict set of expectations that came with royal life.
The contrast between her bubbly nature and the reserved demeanor of the royals became evident particularly in her first meeting with Kate, when she wore jeans and was barefoot.
She reflected on the entity of “royal decorum,” noting that it permeates even private interactions, creating a juxtaposition between the public persona and private reality.
Her humorous admission reveals further insight into how she navigated her initial relationships within the royal hierarchy.
These glimpses into Harry and Meghan’s experiences within the royal bubble reveal just how challenging it can be to forge connections in such a high-stakes environment.
The lip gloss moment is not just about a beauty product; it reflects deeper struggles for acceptance and belonging amidst the pressures of public life.
As narratives unfold and social media responds, we can’t help but gravitate towards the drama of royal relations.
It’s a reminder that, at the end of it all, they are just a family — complicated, flawed, and perhaps, a bit like our own.