The Royal Divide: 5 Major Differences Between Kate Middleton And Meghan Markle At Trooping The Colour 2024 Vs. 2018

The annual Trooping the Colour ceremony is the most significant military parade in the United Kingdom, marking the official birthday of the sovereign, King Charles III. For royal watchers, the event is a crucial indicator of the state of the Royal Family, particularly concerning the relationship between the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. The June 2024 event provided a stark, almost painful contrast to their last joint appearance in 2018, highlighting the seismic shift in the royal landscape.

This deep dive explores the five most profound differences between the two events, focusing on the attendance, roles, and fashion choices of Kate and Meghan. The 2024 parade was a moment of national focus on Kate Middleton’s health and return, while simultaneously underscoring the permanent absence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the central royal stage.

The Tale of Two Appearances: A Contrast in Context

The context surrounding the two women's attendance at Trooping the Colour—in 2018 and 2024—could not be more different. The 2018 event was a moment of unity and hope, while the 2024 ceremony was defined by separation and resilience.

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• 2018: The “Fab Four” Era. The 2018 parade occurred just three weeks after the high-profile wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel. The Duchess of Sussex was a new, full-time working member of the Royal Family, and the atmosphere was one of celebration and a unified front, with the press often referring to Prince William, Prince Harry, Kate, and Meghan as the "Fab Four."
• 2024: The Health and Absence Era. The 2024 event was dominated by two major narratives: the ongoing cancer treatment of King Charles III and the highly anticipated return of Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, following her own cancer diagnosis and preventative chemotherapy. The event was noteworthy for who was present, but equally for who was absent, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not in attendance.

1. The Return vs. The Non-Invitation: Attendance Status

The biggest difference lies in the simple fact of attendance. In 2018, both women were central figures. In 2024, only one was.

Kate Middleton’s Triumphant Return (2024)

The Princess of Wales made her first public appearance of the year at the 2024 Trooping the Colour. Her presence was confirmed just the day before with a touching personal statement, emphasizing her progress and thanking the public for their support. Her role was significant, riding in a carriage with her children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—and later standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla. This was a powerful, symbolic moment of stability and future for the monarchy.

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Meghan Markle’s Confirmed Absence (2024)

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, did not attend the 2024 ceremony. Crucially, multiple reports confirmed that neither she nor Prince Harry received an invitation to the event. This non-invite solidified their status as non-working royals who are no longer included in core state events, a dramatic shift from their position in 2018.

2. The Fashion Statements: Protocol vs. Personal Expression

Royal fashion at Trooping the Colour is a language unto itself, and the outfits worn by Kate and Meghan in 2018 and 2024 reflected their roles and adherence to royal protocol.

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The 2018 Joint Debut: A Protocol Clash

Meghan Markle’s first Trooping the Colour appearance in 2018 was notable for a slight break in royal dress protocol. She wore an off-the-shoulder, blush pink dress by Carolina Herrera and a matching Philip Treacy fascinator. The off-the-shoulder neckline was considered a more fashion-forward, American choice, contrasting with the more traditional, long-sleeved outfits typically worn by senior royal women.

In contrast, Kate Middleton, who was on maternity leave at the time, wore a beautifully tailored, powder blue Alexander McQueen coat dress. Her look was polished, traditional, and perfectly aligned with her established role as a future Queen Consort.

The 2024 Statement: White and Resilience

Kate Middleton’s 2024 ensemble was a powerful, symbolic choice. She wore a white, shift dress with navy trim by designer Jenny Packham and a wide-brimmed white hat by Philip Treacy. White is often associated with purity, hope, and new beginnings. The outfit was a clear statement of her strength and resilience as she returned to public duties. Her jewelry included the Irish Guards Regimental Brooch, a nod to her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, a title she holds with great pride.

3. The Royal Role: Seniority and Military Ties

The official roles held by each woman further illustrate the gulf between their 2018 and 2024 statuses.

• Kate Middleton’s Senior Role (2024): As the Princess of Wales and the Colonel of the Irish Guards, Kate’s role is entrenched in the heart of the monarchy. Her attendance was a duty, a show of support for the King, and a performance of her military affiliation. She rode in the carriage procession, a senior royal position, and stood on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast.
• Meghan Markle’s Non-Role (2024): Having stepped back as a senior working royal in 2020, the Duchess of Sussex holds no official role within the working monarchy. Her attendance, even if invited, would be as a private family member, but the non-invitation confirmed her complete detachment from the event's official proceedings. Her focus remains on her philanthropic and media ventures from her home in California.

4. The Balcony Moment: A Unified Front vs. A Focused Core

The iconic Buckingham Palace balcony appearance is the culmination of Trooping the Colour, and the composition of the group on the balcony is heavily scrutinized.

2018: A Full Family Affair

In 2018, both Kate and Meghan stood on the balcony as part of the large, extended Royal Family celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday. They were positioned close to their husbands, Prince William and Prince Harry, and their presence symbolized the continuity of the monarchy with a younger generation stepping up.

2024: The Slimmed-Down Monarchy

The 2024 balcony was reserved exclusively for the King, the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children, along with a few other working royals. This "slimmed-down" approach, which began in 2022, officially excludes non-working royals like Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle. The focus was tight, centered entirely on the core line of succession and the sovereign, King Charles III, creating a powerful visual of a focused and resilient institution.

5. The Public Narrative: Hope vs. Hollywood

The media and public perception of the two women surrounding the 2024 event was fundamentally different.

• Kate’s Narrative: Hope and Duty. Kate Middleton’s appearance was framed by the media as a moment of national pride and relief. The narrative centered on her courage, duty, and commitment to the Crown despite her personal health battle. It was a story of hope and resilience that resonated deeply with the British public.
• Meghan’s Narrative: Distance and Media Ventures. Meghan Markle’s narrative remains centered on her life in Montecito, California, and her entrepreneurial projects, such as her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. Her absence from Trooping the Colour reinforces the geographical and professional distance she has placed between herself and the Royal Family.

The Trooping the Colour 2024 ceremony, therefore, was not just a military parade but a powerful, visual demarcation point. It cemented Kate Middleton’s unwavering position at the heart of the future monarchy while confirming Meghan Markle’s permanent, non-working status outside the central fold.