A familiar name on King Charles’ guest list has Meghan Markle trending for all the wrong reasons. The Duchess of Sussex has been mocked across social media after her rumored former flame, golfer Rory McIlroy, scored an invite to a state dinner honoring the King.
The unexpected crossover raised eyebrows, especially as Markle and Prince Harry are believed to be in the same country but remain unlikely to reunite with the monarch.
Meghan Markle Roasted After Rory McIlroy’s Royal Dinner Invite
Markle is being pulled into the spotlight after a blast in her past appeared on the guest list for a high-profile state dinner.
The Duchess of Sussex sparked online chatter after her rumored former flame, golfer McIlroy, attended the White House banquet alongside his wife, Erica Stoll McIlroy, in honor of Charles and Camilla. After a guest list went viral online, some users joked that Markle “missed out” on the exclusive invite because she “married the wrong guy.”
The state dinner, held Tuesday night at the White House, celebrated the ongoing bilateral ties between the U.S. and the U.K. during the royal couple’s official visit.
Meghan Dragged As Fans Spot Royal Dinner Irony
Social media users wasted no time piling on, with several commenters seizing on the irony of the moment.
“A state dinner honoring your father-in-law, but still NFI. That’s quite the epic burn,” one Reddit user wrote sarcastically. “But hey, now you’re selling candles and chocolates online. What a winner at life.”
Another commenter took on a more cutting take, suggesting McIlroy may have ultimately come out ahead of the rumored connection. “Bwahaha! Yet another potential MeGain mark who dodged a massive bullet!” they wrote.
A different user framed the situation as a case of poetic justice, arguing that the current optics only added to the humor. They said, “This is glorious! Karma, full circle, comeuppance… whatever we want to call it, this state of affairs is hilarious!”
How Meghan Markle And Rory McIlroy Fueled Dating Rumors
Markle was briefly linked to McIlroy back in 2014 after he nominated her for the viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
In a video at the time, Meghan acknowledged the nomination, joking that it was only fitting McIlroy be the one to pour the ice over her. He later appeared carrying a cooler, climbed a ladder, and drenched the then-actress, leaving her visibly stunned.
The lighthearted moment soon fueled dating speculation, which was later revisited by royal author Tom Bower in his 2022 book “Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors.” According to US Weekly, the pair had dinner that same evening at New York’s Fitzpatrick Hotel.
Meghan Praised Rory McIlroy On ‘The Tig’
While any rumored spark between Markle and McIlroy appeared to fade, the Duchess didn’t hold back her admiration at the time.
After McIlroy began dating his now-wife, Erica Stoll, in 2014, Markle still spoke glowingly about the golfer on her lifestyle blog, The Tig. She highlighted his work ethic and lifestyle, noting how he balanced intense practice with nights out, calling him “a force” both on and off the course.
But it was his character that stood out most to her.
“The most endearing quality of this man is his character, as real and honest as they come,” Meghan wrote, adding that he appreciated simple moments, treated fans warmly, and showed a rare devotion to his family.
“He is not just the real deal… he is real,” she added.
Sussexes Not Expected To Meet King Charles During U.S. Visit
Years after Markle and Harry stepped back from royal life and relocated to California, their relationship with the monarchy remains strained.
The couple, who married in 2018 and share two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have been at odds with the royal family following a series of allegations made after their 2020 exit, making any reunion with Charles and Camilla during the U.S. visit highly unlikely.
At the state dinner, however, the King struck a measured tone, choosing to focus on the enduring alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States rather than any personal or political tensions, per The New York Times.