Buckingham Palace releases photo of Eugenie’s newborn hours after Meghan Markle’s birthday post

On August 4, Meghan Markle celebrated her 45th birthday and posted on Instagram. Hours later, Buckingham Palace issued a social media statement confirming that Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank had welcomed their third child. The baby was born the previous day, August 3.

Fans claim Eugenie’s announcement overshadowed Markle’s birthday

The timing of the palace’s announcement triggered widespread commentary online. Many users asserted that the Duchess of Sussex’s birthday was upstaged by the news of Eugenie’s newborn. According to these observers, the release constituted a deliberate royal “revenge.”

Commentary referenced Eugenie’s 2018 wedding, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle informed members of the Royal Family about Markle’s first pregnancy. As reported by PEOPLE, Harry detailed the moment in his memoir “Spare,” stating he told King Charles first, then Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Express quoted one fan who said: “This coincidence has actually made me believe, that the Royals believe revenge is a dish served cold. Meghan announces her pregnancy at Eugenie’s wedding. Now Eugenie and Jack, the Palace publish a photo of their beautiful baby, not long after Meg drops her bday snaps (sic).” Another X user wrote: “They could have announced it yesterday. That was totally on purpose get back. Classic.”