Meghan Markle has fired back at Gwyneth Paltrow in their breakfast war as she unveiled her ‘re-invented banana split’ with no motivational message to soften the blow.
Yesterday, fans went wild with speculation after Ms Paltrow, 52, posted an Instagram video of herself making breakfast in which she appeared to be subtly put the Duchess of Sussex, 43, in her place.
The post came hot on the heels of the Duchess’s latest attempt at getting back on TV with her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which was met with negative reviews when it started streaming on Netflix last month.
Some viewers suggested Ms Paltrow’s laid back look, crumpled pyjamas and simple, silent cooking demonstration were chosen to contrast with Meghan’s flawless make-up, designer clothes and rented kitchen. Other clues include the music playing behind Ms Paltrow’s video – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole – which was used in promos by Meghan.
Yesterday, the Duchess appeared to retaliate when she posted two videos to her Instagram story with her ‘bestie’ Kelly McKee Zajfen.
Meghan stood behind the camera giggling as Ms Zajfen carefully placed blueberries, raspberries and granola on top of a yogurt and jam covered banana.
The Duchess made sure to tag her own preserve brand As Ever with a caption reading: ‘When one of your besties reinvents a banana split for breakfast.’
In the next clip, Meghan and her pal cheers their forks before trying the re-imagined banana split, both letting out an ‘Mm!’ as Ms Zajfen said it tasted ‘so good’.
Yesterday, the Duchess appeared to retaliate when she posted two videos to her Instagram story with her ‘bestie’ Kelly McKee Zajfen
The Duchess made sure to tag her own preserve brand As Ever with a caption reading: ‘When one of your besties reinvents a banana split for breakfast’
Fans believe when Ms Paltrow, 52, posted an Instagram video of how she makes breakfast, she may have been subtly putting the Duchess of Sussex in her place
She also posted another video, taken by Prince Harry, a few hours later showing a flock of birds flying across the sky in a V-formation with a gushing caption which read: ‘Flying into the week with my family. (Thanks H for capturing this!)’.
It’s unclear whether or not Meghan’s posts were a retaliation but fans are convinced Ms Paltrow was throwing ‘shade’ at her – slang which means to make fun of someone in an underhanded way.
After seeings Meghan’s banana split video, one person on X, formerly Twitter, wrote: ‘Omg! Meghan & Kelly try to throw shade back at Gwyneth Paltrow! This is a game they are going to lose.’
Fans also made posts after Ms Paltrows video, with one writing on X: ”Gwyneth Paltrow continues to throw shade & I’m here for it! No make-up in her actual kitchen!’
Another said: ‘Even the music… that’s Natalie Cole ‘this will be (an EVER lasting love)’!!!!!’
A third posted: ‘Lol isn’t it this the song they keep using in the Meghan Markle promo?’
‘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.’
The post came hot on the heels of the duchess’s latest TV series, With Love, Meghan, which began streaming on Netflix last month to a chorus of negative criticism
Some viewers suggested Ms Paltrow’s unmade-up look, rumpled PJs and simple, speech-free cooking demonstration were chosen to contrast with Meghan’s flawless make-up, designer clothes and rented kitchen
With a jazzy soundtrack, the wholesome clip shows the actress at home in her pyjamas with her dog, making a simple meal of fried eggs, bacon and ‘biscuits’
One fan added: ‘Go Gwyneth… a real dog in her own real kitchen on her own real property.’
Meghan did not film her series – which has been renewed for a second season – at the home in Montecito, California she shares with Prince Harry and their children, instead hiring a £6.2million farmhouse.
Other comments highlighted Ms Paltrow’s monogrammed mug, speculating it could be a reference to Meghan’s monogram as Duchess of Sussex. One said: ‘Notice the lettering on the cup?!!’
Last week, Ms Paltrow and fitness guru Tracy Anderson were accused of mocking Meghan. Making a recipe in a video on Goop’s Instagram page, Ms Anderson said: ‘I’m Tracy Anderson, and welcome to my actual kitchen’ – pausing for effect.
She later insisted: ‘Absolutely no shade intended!’ A day earlier, Ms Paltrow said Meghan seemed ‘lovely’, adding: ‘Maybe I’ll try to get through their security detail and bring them a pie.’
The Duchess of Sussex, 37, was pictured writing empowering notes of support on bananas as she joined husband Prince Harry on a visit to sex worker charity One25
However now a sex worker by the name of Nikki has slammed Meghan Markle for writing the messages of inspiration on fruit during her visit to a Bristol charity last week, claiming she ‘should be doing more’. Pictured: The messages of support
It’s not the first time Meghan has been at centre of banana related backlash.
In 2019, the then pregnant Duchess was criticised by a prostitute for writing messages including ‘you are special’ and ‘you are strong’ on bananas she added to food parcels during a visit to sex worker charity One25 with Prince Harry.
A sex worker named Nikki branded the move ‘offensive’, and claiming she ‘should be doing more’.
Speaking to The Sun at the time, the woman said: ‘People out here struggle to eat and sleep and she gifts us some words on a piece of fruit.
‘She has the means to help us more than that. It’s offensive, you know.’