Mariah Carey's upcoming performance at King Charles III's Sandringham estate is drawing attention not only for the music, but also for an apparent snub directed at Meghan Markle. In a Hits Radio interview promoting the event, Carey was asked about her encounters with members of the British royal family. Rather than mentioning Meghan - who hosted her on the Archetypes podcast in 2022 - Carey named Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, saying, "Fergie, I thought she was cool."
The omission comes despite the two women having a memorable, if slightly awkward, exchange on Meghan's podcast. The discussion centered on the term "diva," which Meghan said was "not something I connect to." Carey countered, "You give us diva moments sometimes, Meghan," linking the label to Meghan's appearance, style, and "gorgeous ensembles." Carey added, "I don't care, I'm like when I can, I'm going to give you diva."
Meghan later admitted on the podcast that the remark unsettled her. "My fangirling was tempered today... until that moment happened... When she called me a diva," Meghan recalled. "I started to sweat a little bit and started squirming in my chair in this quiet revolt, like 'wait, no, what, how could you?'" She said Carey clarified that her use of the word referred to "the way that I dress... the quote, unquote fabulousness," describing it as chic and aspirational rather than derogatory.
Carey's recent choice not to acknowledge Meghan may revive speculation about lingering tensions from that conversation. At the time, Meghan noted how "one very charged word can mean something different for each of us," reflecting on the complexities of reclaiming certain labels.
The apparent snub also comes against the backdrop of Meghan and Prince Harry's departure from official royal duties in 2020, a move that has reshaped their relationship with the rest of the family. While the couple retains their titles, they have had limited public interaction with working royals, and media coverage often magnifies perceived slights.
Carey's Sandringham performance will mark her first appearance at the royal estate, an event expected to draw significant attention. Whether the exchange will prompt further commentary from Meghan remains to be seen, but the resurfaced "diva" debate is likely to follow both women into the spotlight.
