Meghan Markle has returned to the public eye, and true to form, she’s generating controversy with the debut of her latest podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.

While many anticipated a show centered on entrepreneurship and empowerment, the first episode quickly shifted focus to Meghan’s personal experiences. In a dramatic revelation, she claimed to have suffered from postpartum preeclampsia—a rare and dangerous condition. Describing the ordeal as terrifying, Meghan’s disclosure has sparked skepticism, with some questioning the timing and credibility of her story.

Her account raises questions, particularly because it comes years after the supposed event with no previous mention in the press, in Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, or during any of her numerous high-profile interviews.

Postpartum preeclampsia is a serious and life-threatening condition, yet there appears to be no supporting evidence—no hospital reports, no clear timeline, and no indication whether it occurred after the birth of Archie or Lilibet. For someone who has consistently spoken out about her personal struggles, the absence of any public trace of this experience seems unusual. There were no media leaks, no intense press coverage, and no official statements from the Royal Family, which has left many wondering whether the story holds up.

In stark contrast, Duchess Sophie, known for her grace and quiet resilience, endured a very real and well-documented medical crisis during the birth of her daughter, Lady Louise. Sophie experienced a placental abruption, losing nine pints of blood and requiring emergency medical intervention. Both she and her newborn were in critical condition, a situation so grave that Queen Elizabeth made a rare personal visit to the hospital. Sophie’s trauma was not only authentic but publicly acknowledged at the time. Rather than capitalizing on the moment, she transformed her experience into advocacy by becoming a patron of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, the service that helped save her life. She didn’t use her suffering for attention—she used it to make a difference.

Meghan’s story, on the other hand, hasn’t resonated with the same credibility. Critics argue that if she had genuinely endured postpartum preeclampsia, it would have featured prominently in her previous interviews or media appearances, particularly during the emotional Oprah Winfrey sit-down, in Spare, or in her Netflix series. Instead, the absence of verifiable details, combined with the suddenness of the claim, has led some to suspect that she may be using borrowed trauma to attract sympathy and keep the public conversation centered around herself. The podcast episode, which some have sarcastically dubbed Confessions of a Copycat, appears to shift the focus back to Meghan, even when the supposed theme is female entrepreneurship.

The comparison between Meghan and Sophie underscores their differing approaches to adversity. While Sophie quietly channeled her pain into purposeful advocacy, Meghan’s revelation feels like a strategically timed addition to a familiar narrative of personal suffering. Whether this medical crisis truly happened or is merely another attempt to connect with others’ hardships while maintaining the spotlight remains uncertain.