Sophie Grégoire Trudeau distanced herself from Meghan Markle, despite Meghan previously describing her as a “dear friend.” During an interview with a U.K. newspaper, Trudeau quickly moved on from discussing Meghan and instead expressed sympathy for Princess Kate following her cancer diagnosis. Trudeau noted that while she knows Meghan, they haven’t spent much time together, and shifted the conversation to focus on the challenges that Kate was facing.
Princess Kate’s health became a topic of speculation after she underwent abdominal surgery and was absent from public appearances. Amid rumors and theories circulating on social media, Kate was forced to publicly address the situation and reveal that she had been diagnosed with cancer. The saga surrounding Kate’s health led to increased sympathy for her, and Trudeau’s decision to distance herself from Meghan may have been a strategic move to avoid aligning herself with one side of the divided public opinion on the royal family.
While there is evidence of a previous friendly interaction between Grégoire Trudeau and Meghan, including Meghan’s appearance on Trudeau’s podcast and a shared moment at an event in Toronto, Trudeau’s choice to downplay their connection could be influenced by the intense rivalry and tribalism within royal fandoms on social media. The divide between supporters of different royal figures can lead public figures to carefully navigate their public statements to avoid being seen as aligning with one side or the other. This may explain Trudeau’s decision to focus on expressing sympathy for Princess Kate during the interview.
During Meghan’s appearance on Trudeau’s podcast, she praised Trudeau for her understanding of the challenges of being a mother and a partner in the public eye, highlighting the shared experiences they had discussed during their time together. Meghan described a relaxed day they spent together at the pool, where they bonded over playful activities and banter. The lighthearted conversation included details about an inflatable pool float, showing a more casual and fun side to their friendship.
As a former first lady of Canada, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau is experienced in managing public expectations and the pressures of public life. Her decision to emphasize her sympathy for Princess Kate rather than her friendship with Meghan may have been a carefully calculated move to navigate the complex dynamics of royal fandoms and public opinion. The intense scrutiny and tribalism surrounding the royal family can lead public figures to carefully tailor their public statements to avoid being caught in the crossfire of divided loyalties and opinions.
