The British royal family has always been a source of fascination, not just for their pageantry and tradition, but for the way the public and media scrutinise their every move.
But as the dust settles on Catherine, Princess of Wales’s latest project, a familiar—and uncomfortable—double standard has come sharply into focus.
And it’s one that many YourLifeChoices readers will recognise from their own lives: the rules are rarely the same for everyone.
Kate’s Mother Nature series: A new dawn for the princess
This week, Kate released a beautifully shot, three-minute video titled Spring to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
The video, the first in a planned series called Mother Nature, features sweeping drone shots of the English countryside, babbling brooks, and the Princess herself, accompanied by Prince William, extolling the healing power of nature.
In her gentle voiceover, Kate encourages viewers to ‘reconnect to nature and celebrate a new dawn within our hearts.’
It’s a personal, creative, and ambitious project—and one that’s been met with polite applause and supportive headlines.
The Palace has clearly invested in high production values, and the message is one that resonates with many: after all, who among us hasn’t found solace in a walk through the park or a moment in the garden?
But what if Meghan had done it?
Here’s where things get interesting. Imagine, for a moment, that it was Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who had released this video.
The Californian duchess, known for her interest in wellness, yoga, and ‘woowoo’ (her words) practices, has often been mocked for her holistic approach to life.
If Meghan had spoken about ‘new dawns’ and ‘healing’ in a glossy nature video, the reaction would almost certainly have been very different.
British tabloids and social media would likely have erupted with derision, accusing her of being out of touch, self-indulgent, or ‘too Hollywood.’ The same outlets that praised Kate’s project would have rolled their eyes at Meghan’s, dismissing it as more evidence that she ‘just doesn’t get’ royal life.
A pattern of double standards
This isn’t a one-off. The royal double standard has been on display for years, and it’s not just about nature videos.
Remember the infamous ‘avocado-gate’? When Meghan was photographed enjoying avocado toast, the Daily Mail ran a headline linking her snack to ‘human rights abuses, drought and murder’.
Yet when King Charles was revealed to be enjoying half an avocado for lunch, there was barely a murmur.
Or consider the recent VE Day commemorations, where Prince Louis, Kate and William’s youngest, was caught on camera playfully teasing his older brother and fiddling with his father’s uniform.
The media response? Amused indulgence. But if it had been Archie or Lilibet, Meghan and Harry’s children, would the press have been so forgiving? History suggests not.
The royal family and ‘woo’: Not just Meghan
It’s also worth noting that alternative wellness isn’t just Meghan’s domain. King Charles himself has long championed homeopathy and holistic health, even appointing a pro-homeopathic doctor as head of the Royal Medical Household.
He and Queen Camilla have visited the Soukya holistic health retreat in India for years. Yet somehow, Meghan’s interest in adaptogens and Ayurveda during her pregnancies is treated as suspect, while Charles’s ‘woo’ is seen as quirky or even enlightened.
Why does this matter?
For many readers, this story might feel all too familiar. Whether it’s in families, workplaces, or social circles, double standards can be deeply hurtful. They undermine trust, breed resentment, and make it harder for people to be themselves. In the case of the royals, the stakes are higher—the world is watching, and the consequences play out on a global stage.
But the lesson is universal: we all deserve to be judged by the same standards, regardless of our background, personality, or approach to life.
A new era of royal storytelling?
There’s an irony here, too. Both Kate and Meghan are, in their own ways, trying to show the world who they really are. Kate’s Mother Nature series is her most personal project yet, while Meghan has launched her own lifestyle brand and podcast, sharing her passions and beliefs. The Windsors, it seems, are ready for their close-ups—and for a more authentic, less scripted relationship with the public.
What do you think?
Have you noticed double standards in your own life, or in the way public figures are treated? Do you think the media is fair to Meghan and Harry—or to Kate and William? And what do you make of the royals’ new, more personal approach to sharing their lives?
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below—and let’s keep the conversation going.
Also read: How I’m avoiding the rabbit hole of Kate Middleton conspiracy theories
One can be naughty and nice or nice and naughty as far as the British Press is concerned.