On Saturday, 15 July 2023, the eyes of the tennis world are focused on Centre Court to watch the Wimbledon Championships Women's Singles Final. While most spectators were watching intently the match between Anse Gabr and Elena Rebakina, some eagle-eyed fans noticed the surprising seating arrangement in the stands.
In the royal box, sitting next to Kate Middleton's seat is none other than Priyanka Chopra, the best friend of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, Duchess Kate Middleton's royal rival of Kate Middleton.
Considering that the relationship between the two duchesses has been tense since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry resigned from the royal family, the proximity of Priyanka Chopra and Kate Middleton is an unexpected coincidence.
As Meghan Markle's closest confidant, Priyanka Chopra has publicly defended her friend against negative media coverage and rumors. Her proximity to Kate Middleton's prominence is either an example of the appalling badness of Wimbledon's plans or a serendipitous chance to reconcile the two camps.
Friendships forged by Hollywood
Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle met in 2016 at the ELLE TV Women's Dinner. As actresses, their common experience in the entertainment industry brought the two together quickly.
Priyanka Chopra said in a 2017 interview: "We are connected like two girls. Their friendship flourished, coinciding with Meghan Markle's whirlwind royal romance, with Priyanka Chopra attending the couple's fairytale wedding in 2018. She has been one of Meghan Markle's closest friends and the most outspoken supporter.
In 2022, Priyanka Chopra even made headlines for publicly defending Meghan Markle against allegations that she bullied royal staff. "I've known her for many years, and I can vouch for her character." Priyanka Chopra declared. She tried to counter negative media coverage of her friend.
Front row seats for royal rivals
On Saturday, when Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas were seated on Centre Court, they found themselves just two rows away from the Royal Box. That puts Priyanka Chopra up to 15 feet away from Kate Middleton, who sits next to Prince William to watch the championship.
Given Priyanka Chopra's role as Meghan Markle's best friend and confidant, this tight seating arrangement can create some awkward moments. Priyanka Chopra and Kate Middleton don't seem to interact during the game. But with Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's ongoing feud, Priyanka Chopra being so close to Princess Kate may make both sides uncomfortable.
Rumors of Prince William's infidelity also did little to solve the problem. Tensions between them and Prince William and Princess Kate escalated as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accused the royal family of racism and misogyny. Priyanka Chopra's seated front row next to Kate Middleton seems to highlight the deep personal divide between the two.
Opportunities for reconciliation?
However, Priyanka Chopra's proximity to Kate Middleton also offers a unique opportunity. As Meghan Markle's closest friend and ally, Priyanka Chopra could have bridged her differences and opened a reconciliation dialogue with Princess Kate.
Perhaps, Priyanka Chopra and Kate Middleton could have quietly reconciled and brought the two duchess closer. If Princess Kate and Meghan Markle are to repair their relationship, trusted close friends like Priyanka Chopra can facilitate the process.
At the very least, the seat accident drew public attention to the ongoing conflict between the royal couple. With Priyanka Chopra placed directly between the two camps, there have been calls for Meghan Markle and Princess Kate to set aside their differences in the interests of the monarchy. Like Wimbledon's example, royal farce distracts attention from the more important issues of today's society.
The whole world is snubbing him
In the 2022 Wimbledon final, Priyanka Chopra was accused of snubbing Kate Middleton as she passed her in the hallway. Allegedly, when Kate Middleton said hello, Priyanka Chopra ignored her and continued walking without saying hello.
The video went viral, and some observers believed it was Priyanka Chopra deliberately snubbing her friend Meghan Markle in solidarity with her. Others thought it was a simple misunderstanding, or that Priyanka Chopra didn't hear Kate Markle greeting in the bustling hallway.
In any case, the controversy has exacerbated rumors that there is a serious disagreement between the two duchesses. It also shows how tensions have spread to Meghan Markle and Princess Kate's inner circle. Priyanka Chopra's loyalty to her friends also seems to have put her at odds with Kate Middleton.
Wimbledon Celebrity League
As the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon attracts royalty and celebrities every year. The two often intersect, intentionally or unintentionally. In 2023, Chopra's seat near the royal box created an uncomfortable atmosphere, but this is not the first time.
In 2019, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton sat together in the women's final with friendly expressions on their faces. Other celebrities have also shown their loyalty to the royal family from their interactions at Wimbledon. But sources say the two duchesses are strained behind the scenes.
From David and Victoria Beckham's flattery to Princess Kate and Prince William, to Priyanka Chopra's subtle snub, Wimbledon offers us a glimpse of how the rich and famous are allied with the royal family. As the Meghan Markle and Princess Kate saga continues, the power dynamics between celebrities and royalty are likely to play out at more Wimbledon tournaments in the future.
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