It was not Meghan’s victory that drew attention; rather, it intensified comparisons with Middleton, who is an avid soccer fan.

(L) Meghan Markle attends the Project Healthy Minds 3rd Annual Gala; (R) Kate Middleton attends a ceremonial welcome. Cover Image Source: Getty Images| (L) Michael Loccisano; (R) Andrew Matthews – Pool

Meghan Markle is no stranger to public scrutiny, and stepping down as a senior royal has done little to ease it. Despite her efforts to keep her Jordan visit focused on her work, some fans took issue with a seemingly light-hearted moment. On February 25, the Duchess of Sussex participated in a football shootout during her tour of the Za’atari Refugee Camp. After her images from the game went viral, royal watchers believed she was copying Kate Middleton, who has frequently been photographed playing football during sports-focused engagements.

Meghan Markle is no stranger to public scrutiny, and stepping down as a senior royal has done little to ease it. Despite her efforts to keep her Jordan visit focused on her work, some fans took issue with a seemingly light-hearted moment. On February 25, the Duchess of Sussex participated in a football shootout during her tour of the Za’atari Refugee Camp. After her images from the game went viral, royal watchers believed she was copying Kate Middleton, who has frequently been photographed playing football during sports-focused engagements.

Kate Middleton visits the Salthill GAA club in Northern Ireland. (Image Source: Getty Images| Julien Behal Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)After photos of Markle from the football match went viral on X (Formerly Twitter), royal fans all said the same thing. A netizen remarked, “If she’s trying to be like our Princess Catherine, she’s FAILED big time!” In a similar vein, another echoed, “She’s trying so hard to be Catherine lol.” A royal watcher also opined, “She is trying to copy Princess Catherine, who is a natural and successful sportswoman.” As the comments poured in, a person sneered, “Trying to be Princess Catherine.” Likewise, another quipped, “Look, I’m sporty too, you know!!! Wow, she’s obsessed with Catherine.”

Judging by the constant comparisons, one cannot help but wonder whether Harry and Markle’s trip may have ruffled some feathers with the Prince and Princess of Wales, as they have a long history of visits to the country. Given the tensions between the Fab Four, such an international engagement could be seen as fueling an unnecessary rivalry. William and Middleton had most recently visited Jordan for the wedding of Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah in June 2023. Meanwhile, William also has a good relationship with the Crown Prince, welcoming him to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire last October to meet his former flight squadron.Prince William and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan walk past an enlarged photo of Kate Middleton in her youth. (Image Source: Getty Images | Ian Vogler – Pool)