Meghan Markle appears to respond to Gwyneth Paltrow after fans speculated Paltrow’s recent Instagram video subtly shaded the Duchess

Meghan Markle’s savage post to hit back at Gwyneth Paltrow after repeated jibes

Meghan Markle appears to have fired back at Gwyneth Paltrow in what some are calling a breakfast war, following Paltrow’s recent Instagram post that fans are speculating subtly poked fun at the Duchess of Sussex. The back-and-forth started when Paltrow, 52, shared a video of herself making breakfast while dressed in crumpled pyjamas, sipping coffee, and preparing a simple meal.

Some fans quickly noticed that Paltrow’s seemingly laid-back, make-up free appearance and relaxed vibe starkly contrasted with Meghan’s more polished public image, especially after the debut of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which has received mixed reviews since its release earlier this month.

The key moment fans pointed to was the song choice playing in the background of Paltrow’s video – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole. Many fans noted that this was also used in promotional material for Meghan’s series, sparking speculation that Paltrow’s video was a subtle dig. One user on X commented: “Yikes! Even the music… that’s Natalie Cole ‘This Will Be (An EVER lasting love)’!!!!!” Another remarked: “Guyyyyyys, lol isn’t this the song they keep using in the Meghan Markle promo.”

Meghan seemingly retaliated by posting two videos on her Instagram story with her friend, Kelly McKee Zajfen, in which they prepared a “re-invented banana split” for breakfast. The Duchess stood behind the camera giggling while Zajfen added fresh fruit and granola on top of yogurt and jam-covered banana slices. Meghan tagged her own brand, As Ever, in the post, writing, “When one of your besties reinvents a banana split for breakfast.”

Meghan Markle appears to have fired back at Gwyneth Paltrow in what some are calling a breakfast war(Image: meghan/Instagram)

In the next video, Meghan and her pal could be seen trying the banana split and gleefully cheering their forks before taking a bite. Zajfen exclaimed: “Mm, it tastes so good.” Meghan then posted another video showing a flock of birds flying in a V-formation with a caption reading: “Flying into the week with my family. (Thanks H for capturing this!)” The video was shot by her husband, Prince Harry. While it’s unclear whether Meghan’s posts were a direct response to Paltrow, many fans interpreted them as a playful jab.

Fans on social media wasted no time jumping into the drama, with some speculating that Meghan’s banana split video was her way of “throwing shade” back at Paltrow. One person wrote on X: “Omg! Meghan & Kelly try to throw shade back at Gwyneth Paltrow! This is a game they are going to lose.” Another fan pointed out Paltrow’s choice of clothing, saying: “And being as relatable as she can be, in her pjs, hair not styled, no make-up sipping coffee. No one praising her. Just her phone filming. Simple and easy.”

Paltrow’s breakfast video also sparked comments about her monogrammed mug, which some fans speculated was a reference to Meghan’s own monogram as the Duchess of Sussex. One user wrote: “Notice the lettering on the cup?!!” adding further fuel to the fire of supposed rivalry between the two women.

Fans are certain that Meghan’s story posts were aimed at Gwyneth (Image: meghan/Instagram)

This wasn’t the first time the Meghan and Gwyneth have been linked. Just the week before, Paltrow and fitness expert Tracy Anderson were accused of mocking Meghan. In a video posted to Goop’s Instagram page, Anderson, while preparing a recipe in her kitchen, said: “I’m Tracy Anderson, and welcome to my actual kitchen,” pausing for effect before continuing.

Anderson later insisted, “Absolutely no shade intended”, however, the comment was interpreted by many as another dig at Meghan, who filmed her series in a lavishly rented £6.2million farmhouse, not in the home she shares with Prince Harry in Montecito, California.

Throughout all of this, Paltrow herself has not commented on the tension, though she did say in an earlier interview about Meghan, “She seems lovely,” adding humorously: “Maybe I’ll try to get through their security detail and bring them a pie.” Meanwhile, the actress and lifestyle guru’s laid-back, unstyled appearance in her video only heightened speculation that she was intentionally setting herself apart from Meghan’s more glamorous public image.