Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s attendance at Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday party has sparked criticism from royal insiders, who labeled their presence as “tacky” and indicative of their distance from the British monarchy. The event, held at Jeff Bezos’ Beverly Hills mansion, featured a star-studded guest list and led to the deletion of photos featuring the couple from social media posts by Jenner and Kim Kardashian.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among the high-profile guests at the James Bond-themed celebration for Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday on Saturday. Held at the opulent $175 million estate of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in Beverly Hills, the party drew a who’s who of Hollywood and business elites. Royal insiders expressed dismay at Harry and Meghan’s participation, with one source describing it as “so tacky” and highlighting the contrast with Prince William’s efforts to modernize the monarchy.
The guest list included celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Tyler Perry, Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Ciara, and members of the Hilton family. Beyoncé and Jay-Z made a discreet entrance to avoid paparazzi, adding to the exclusivity of the event. Throughout the night, the festivities were so loud that police were called due to noise complaints, though only warnings were issued.
In the aftermath, Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian deleted photos featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from their Instagram accounts. One image showed Jenner posing and laughing with the couple, while others captured moments with Kardashian. The deletions sparked speculation and mockery online, with commenters questioning the reasons behind the removal, though representatives for Jenner, Kardashian, and the Sussexes have not commented.
According to sources, Meghan Markle was actively networking at the party, schmoozing with various power players in what was described as “networking mode.” She was seen mingling with attendees and appeared cool and composed, focusing on building connections. This behavior aligns with the couple’s efforts to establish themselves in American entertainment and business circles since relocating to the US in 2020.
The royal family’s insiders were reportedly appalled by the couple’s appearance, viewing it as a departure from traditional royal decorum. A palace insider noted that the ostentatious nature of the event conflicts with the values Prince William is promoting within the monarchy. The timing was particularly jarring, as Harry’s estranged relatives were gathering in the UK for Remembrance Day ceremonies, while he attended the party wearing a poppy, a symbol of the occasion.
This incident underscores the ongoing tension between Harry and Meghan’s new life in California and their royal heritage. Since stepping back from royal duties, they have carefully curated their public image through social media and Netflix projects, such as “With Love, Meghan” and the docuseries “Harry & Meghan.” Their attendance at high-profile events like Jenner’s party reflects their strategy to engage with celebrity culture while maintaining control over their narrative.
The fallout from the party highlights the challenges the couple faces in balancing their desire for privacy with their high-profile public appearances. As they continue to navigate their roles outside the monarchy, events like this may further strain relations with the royal family and shape public perception of their priorities and values moving forward.
