Is There Really Bad Blood Between Reel and Real Life Royalties?

When Helen Mirren, the queen of the screen, crosses narrative paths with Meghan Markle, the duchess who willingly walked away from royalty, curiosity is inevitable. One brings nobility to life, the other once lived in it for real. Their worlds seem far apart, yet whispers hint otherwise. Is shade being served between the two, or is it simply smoke from the ever-churning mill of celebrity gossip? Between reel and real royalty, the lines have never felt more intriguingly blurred.

Is there actual tension between Meghan Markle and Helen Mirren, or is it just tabloid theater?

Unpacking the rumored rift between Meghan Markle and Helen Mirren

The rumor of a rift between Helen Mirren and Meghan Markle stems from the former refusing to watch the latter’s widely televised royal wedding to Prince Harry. “I will not be watching the upcoming ceremony,” the English actress told US Weekly in May 2018. While tabloids then ran with speculations of bad blood between Mirren and Markle, the former has since only spoken highly of the Duchess of Sussex, praising her publicly on more than one occasion, and quashing theories about sparks flying between the two. In May of the above-mentioned year itself, Helen Mirren praised Meghan Markle as someone who would be a great fit for the monarchy, telling ET that she finds the Suits alum to be both “utterly gracious and elegant.”

Two years down the line, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines for their decision to step down from their royal roles, Helen Mirren again was in their corner, telling Variety that she finds the couple’s instincts about their future in the UK “absolutely right.” Mirren continued to speak highly of the couple, saying she not only favors their decision to move to the States but also “applauds” them for the same. All these points point to one thing and one thing only: the reel-life royalty is a fan of a former real-life titleholder. Meanwhile, Mirren is not the only actress Markle has been rumored to have bad blood with.

Recently, Meghan Markle also cleared the air of being at odds with Gwyneth Paltrow. 

Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow’s rumored rift explained

Social media was once convinced that Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow were not on great terms. The latter, however, addressed the same on her Instagram Stories. The actress said that she had no clue whatsoever about the conjecture while standing in a kitchen, with the clattering of utensils filling the background. Paltrow then panned the camera to reveal that she was, in fact, sitting with Markle herself while addressing the rumor.

Meghan Markle, who is currently basking in the success of her lifestyle brand As Ever, also conveyed that she was not aware of the rumored drama between the two as she took a bite of a pie decorating the table. Turns out, whether it was Meghan Markle–Helen Mirren rift rumors or the Duchess’ feud whispers with Paltrow, none of them sat on the throne of truth. 

What are your thoughts on the Helen Mirren and Meghan Markle speculated dispute? Let us know in the comments.