Gwyneth Paltrow knows a thing or two about presentation, having promoted her successful lifestyle brand Goop since 2008.
And with an Oscar under her belt and starring roles in Shakespeare In Love, Iron Man and The Talented Mr Ripley, you can bet that nothing she films is left to chance.
Which is why fans believe that 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.
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’ – a sort of American scone.
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. 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.
Fans said Ms Paltrow had thrown ‘shade’ on Meghan – slang for showing contempt or undermining someone. One wrote 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)’!!!!!’
Fans believe that 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
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’
Fans said Ms Paltrow had thrown ‘shade’ on Meghan – slang for showing contempt or undermining someone
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.’
One fan added: ‘Go Gwyneth… a real dog in her own real kitchen on her own real property.’
Meghan, 43, 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.’