Title: Royal Fashion Showdown at the 2023 Commonwealth Service

The 2023 Commonwealth service held at Westminster Abbey showcased the unity of the British royals, despite protests occurring nearby.

Brittany from the Royal News Network reported that the protests were quite loud, adding an element of excitement to her coverage.

The event was particularly special as it marked the first senior royal gathering since Prince Edward received the Edinburgh Dukedom.

Among the attendees, both Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, looked stunning.

This year's Commonwealth service was the second one to take place since the pandemic subsided, and notably, a certain couple did not attend.

This absence was a relief for the royals who were present, as the couple had also missed last year's event.

The absence allowed for a smooth and uninterrupted ceremony, free from any potential controversies.

During the service, there was a subtle moment that caught attention, possibly indicating a rivalry between Kate and Meghan.

Kate made a fashion statement by opting for a trendy floral jacket and matching skirt from Erdem Muraliglu, one of her favorite designers.

Reports had previously emerged that both Meghan and Kate admired Erdem's designs, with Kate seemingly being prioritized by the designer.

This preference did not sit well with Meghan, who was said to be displeased that Kate received the latest designs, even though she was not the Queen.

It took almost a year after joining the royal family for Meghan to publicly wear Erdem's designs.

In March 2019, she wore a custom-made green coat dress for a royal engagement.

Prior to meeting Prince Harry, Meghan had already worn a dress from Erdem's 2015 collection in early 2016.

On the other hand, Kate has long been a fan of Erdem's designs and had previously worn a mid-calf fit and flare design from his SS18 collection in 2018.

However, Erdem's bold patterns have faced criticism, with some describing his designs as chintzy.

Rumors even circulated that Erdem had declined to create a coronation outfit for Meghan.

It's worth noting that the Sussexes were previously President and Vice President of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, pledging to work closely with the 54 nations.

However, in February 2021, they were stripped of their positions by the late Queen.

Commonwealth Day 2020 marked their final royal engagement before they stepped down as senior royals and relocated to North America.

Before the ceremony, 2,000 service orders were distributed, indicating that William and Kate would enter the Abbey with the main royal party.

However, there was no mention of Harry and Meghan being part of the procession.

This discrepancy reportedly led to William and Kate deciding not to walk in the procession, aiming to resolve the issue despite the contrary instructions in the service orders.

According to royal expert Tom Bower's book, “Revenge, Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors,” a significant argument erupted after palace officials decided to publicly humiliate Harry and Meghan.

The disagreement occurred two days after the Commonwealth service, on March 9th.

Initially, the order of service listed Harry and Meghan walking behind the Queen, but palace officials revised this decision.

Suspicions surrounding the Sussexes led to their public humiliation, as they were informed that, having stepped down from royal duties, they would sit and wait with the congregation.

Throughout this ordeal, tensions between William and Kate and Harry and Meghan were palpable.

William did not extend a brotherly welcome, while Kate maintained a distant attitude towards her sister-in-law.

In an attempt to resolve the dispute, William and Kate eventually agreed to wait with Harry and Meghan.

However, as the members of the royal family entered Westminster Abbey, the strained relationships became evident.

Kate ignored the Sussexes, and William's greeting was cold.

The tension was visible on Harry's face, while Meghan seemed bewildered by the entire situation.