Meghan Markle hits back after Martha Stewart said duchess dropped dinner party gossip about trip to King Charles - as insider claims cooking star 'must have been confused'

By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER Published: 11:35, 7 August 2026 | Updated: 11:42, 7 August 2026 Meghan Markle denies blabbing about her reunion with the King at a California dinner party attended by fellow lifestyle guru Martha Stewart. A source close to the Duchess of Sussex has clapped back and claimed Martha 'must have been confused' because they were not seated near one another. Ms Stewart, whom some claim Meghan wants to usurp as the world's best-known homemaker, said the former actress had been chatting to fellow diners about her family's trip to the UK to see Prince Harry's father at a recent soiree. She claimed Meghan was openly 'talking about' her visit to Highgrove to see King Charles. 'I know she was,' she insisted. Last month, the Sussexes had a private family reunion with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House during a chaotic trip to the UK.  Harry had reportedly agreed not to speak publicly about the visit and that no photographs would be shared. Meghan's Instagram post on the trip shared a number of intimate family moments - but nothing from Highgrove. Today, a source close to the Duchess insisted she did not discuss the UK visit at all, saying only that she had enjoyed a nice holiday in Europe. The insider suggested Martha may not have been within earshot because they were not seated next to one another. 'Meghan was asked by someone else about her European vacation and said it was nice, and that was the extent of it. I think she must have been confused,' the insider said. Despite the difference of opinion, Meghan remains a 'fan' of Ms Stewart, the source added to the Mirror. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is said to deny chatting about it to diners and that she had made an innocent comment about enjoying the recent holiday to Europe, nothing more Martha Stewart (pictured in her kitchen) has claimed Meghan Markle was 'talking about' her family's trip to the UK to see King Charles while at a dinner party Ms Stewart's comments to People magazine, one of the Sussexes' preferred publications in the US, have caused a stir. '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 said. 'I didn't talk to her really more than to say a couple of words, but I know she was talking about it.' The cookbook author also commented on how she felt about Meghan 'stepping into [her] space' following the launch of the Duchess's cooking show, With Love, Meghan. '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,' Stewart said. 'It doesn't sort of follow. So go from there.'  It is not the first time Stewart has passed comment on Meghan's arrival into the cooking world, with the star previously saying she hopes the Duchess 'knows what she's talking about'.  'Authenticity, to me, is everything, and to be authentic and knowledgeable about your subject matter is extremely important,' Stewart told Yahoo Lifestyle.  She also claimed she didn't 'mind' the idea of having successors.  The Daily Mail contacted Meghan's representatives for comment.   It came as Meghan posted a new clip of her dancing to a happy birthday song wearing a tiara-like headband to celebrate turning 45.  The Duchess uploaded a series of videos from her special day on Instagram, showing her bopping to the music and laughing as she and Harry put paper hats on their two dogs, Pula and Mamma Mia.  In the clips, Meghan shares a rare glimpse of herself in casual attire as she sports white pyjama bottoms and a T-shirt branded with the words 'It's giving Mrs'.  A birthday song plays in the background, while Harry laughs and says 'oh dear' from behind the camera.  Her Instagram story then flicks to a second video showing the couple's two dogs wearing paper hats - with the duke and duchess laughing as the pets appear less than impressed by their accessories.  The hats slip on and off the dogs, before Harry repeats 'oh dear' and Meghan chuckles, adding: 'Oh no, okay, let's take it off. I'm sorry.'  Meghan thanked her followers 'for the birthday love' as she celebrated turning 45 by jumping into a pool with a bunch of balloons The Duchess also posted a new clip of her dancing to a happy birthday song to mark her turning 45 - white wearing a tiara-like headband  The clips came hours after Meghan marked the occasion by sharing photos of herself jumping into an outdoor pool while holding balloons - as she thanked her followers for 'the birthday love' on social media.  Her lifestyle brand As Ever also congratulated the mother-of-two with a snap of Meghan wearing a designer striped shirt from Céline and white Anine Bing 'Brie' jeans. The company's social media post also included a throwback photo of a young Meghan sporting pigtails and a white turtleneck, seated in what looks to be her childhood bedroom.  To mark the duchess's birthday, the brand wrote on social media: 'Happy birthday to our founder, @meghan. Lighting No. 084 to celebrate!'  The caption referenced a candle sold by the brand, which appeared alongside other As Ever products in one of a quartet of photos posted to celebrate Meghan's special day.