The “double standards” debate surrounding the British royal family has resurfaced, as Kate Middleton has been compared to her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, following her recent trip to Italy.

The Princess of Wales attended a pasta making class in Italy

During the official visit—focused on early childhood development—the Princess of Wales took part in a traditional pasta-making class in the Emilia-Romagna region. She was seen preparing tortelli, a local specialty, in a warm, intimate setting that highlighted intergenerational connection through food and shared traditions.

While Kate’s down-to-earth and approachable image was widely shared across social media, the video quickly sparked controversy. Some users argued that the public and media response revealed a clear bias. They pointed out that Meghan Markle had previously faced heavy criticism for similar cooking scenes—particularly for not wearing gloves or hair coverings—whereas Kate’s actions were praised as “charming.”

Several social media comments suggested that identical behavior was being judged differently, fueling claims of unfair treatment. Others even alleged that the filming style of Kate’s video resembled content Meghan had produced for her lifestyle and cooking series on streaming platforms.

However, many came to Kate’s defense, emphasizing that she is admired for her kindness and dedication. Supporters argued that her participation in everyday activities like cooking only strengthens her relatable public image.

Beyond the online debate, the Italy trip holds deeper significance. It marks Kate’s first official overseas engagement since completing her cancer treatment. During a walkabout, she became visibly emotional, expressing gratitude for the warm استقبال from the public—highlighting that her return to royal duties is not only professional, but also deeply personal.

Ultimately, the incident underscores how both women continue to be viewed through a lens of comparison, where even the smallest actions can ignite widespread public debate.

Meghan has been seen cooking on her Netflix show (Credit: Netflix)

Princess of Wales’ emotional confession in Italy

Elsewhere in Italy, the Princess of Wales made a touching admission about being greeted with such warmth.

During a walkabout to meet people who had gathered, Kate admitted: “Thank you for coming. I’m so grateful. I felt very emotional driving and seeing everyone there.”

One member of the crowd replied: “You deserve it.”

The way this is filmed is literally copying Meghan… again.

One person said on X: “This just made me tear up.”

Another wrote: “Wow, so real, so heartfelt. Just adore her.”

This trip to Italy is the Princess of Wales’ first official overseas work trip since her cancer diagnosis.

In early 2024, Princess Catherine announced she would be undergoing treatment for cancer. Her treatment completed in September of that year and she announced in January 2025 that she was in remission.

Since then, she has been slowly returning to duties while prioritising her health.