Martha Stewart has reignited discussion around Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand after revealing the Duchess of Sussex spoke about her recent trip to “the palace” during a dinner party in California.
The lifestyle icon said she crossed paths with Meghan at a dinner gathering shortly after the Duchess returned from Britain, where she travelled with Prince Harry and their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
The Sussex’s UK visit included a meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove, the Kings private residence in Gloucestershire.
It was was reportedly the first time King Charles had seen the children in several years, following Prince Harry and Meghan’s exit from royal duties and growing public scrutiny.
Speaking to People magazine, Martha said Meghan had spoken about the royal visit at a California dinner party.
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“I had dinner with Meghan Markle the other night. We were both guests at a dinner party in California. And she had just gotten back from the palace,” she told the outlet.
“I didn’t talk to her really more than to say a couple words, but I know she was talking about it,” Stewart added.
But Martha, who built her reputation as a leading figure in cooking, entertaining and home living, appeared less convinced about Meghan’s transition from actress to royal figure and now lifestyle personality.
Asked about Meghan launching her own cooking and lifestyle brand, including her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, Martha questioned whether the career shift made sense.
“If you’re an actress, it’s hard to then transition to a princess and then from a princess into a homemaking guru on a television show,” she added.
“It doesn’t sort of follow. So go from there.”
Martha has previously stressed the importance of credibility and expertise when it comes to lifestyle content, appearing to take aim at Meghan’s ventures without naming her directly.
“Authenticity, to me, is everything, and to be authentic and knowledgeable about your subject matter is extremely important,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle in July 2025.
Stewart claimed she didn’t “mind” the idea of having successors and wished them all “good luck”.
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