On one side of the Atlantic, Meghan Markle was on stage at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women’s Summit in Washington, D.C., carefully stringing together word salad about her entrepreneurial journey and that “evolving relationship with Netflix.”

And on the other side, the Prince and Princess of Wales were casually outshining her without saying a word — just by picking apples and smiling like actual human beings.

Yes. While Meghan was paying $14,500 for a mic, William and Catherine were stealing headlines by doing something radically simple — being likable.

Meghan’s big moment was supposed to be empowering, inspiring, all that PR glitter. But the reality? A shoebox-sized audience with applause that died faster than her podcast deal.

She strutted on stage in full main-character mode, while across the pond, Catherine and William were laughing, cider tasting, and basically winning the hearts-and-headlines battle without breaking a sweat.

In Northern Ireland, the royal couple did three wholesome stops — a visit to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Services Learning and Development College, a flax farm at Malin Farm, and Long Meadow Cider. And honestly, that was enough to flood the internet with warm, fuzzy photos.

Catherine, in her elegant Alexander McQueen coat, later switched to a laid-back Barbour jacket. Meanwhile, Meghan probably Googled “Irish countryside aesthetic” on the flight back to California.

They were photographed smiling as they picked apples, tried cider, and basically embodied everything Meghan has been trying — and failing — to manufacture: effortless charm.

No beige dresses.

No bizarre monologues.

No forced “I’m just like you” performances.

Just authenticity.

Meghan, meanwhile, was out there performing what can only be described as a live LinkedIn post. She spoke a lot. Said nothing. Spoke more — still nothing. And got a crowd reaction equivalent to a polite golf clap at a local retirement luncheon.

Catherine and William didn’t need to buy a speaking slot. They didn’t need a PR team to plant stories. They just showed up, smiled, and gave people actual reasons to adore them.

Their body language screamed ease, affection, and we’re actually happy to be here.

While Meghan screamed, I paid for this spotlight, and I’m not leaving until I get my headline.

The Princess of Wales, dressed in Irish green, radiated poise and elegance — and William looked like every wholesome autumn Pinterest board ever made. Together, they were a walking, talking royal fairy tale. The crowd loved them.

Meghan can show up at every summit, fashion week, and empowerment stage she can find — but she can’t buy what Catherine has: genuine global affection. That thing she craves most.

Adoration is something you can’t script, can’t pay for, can’t PR-spin into existence.

While William and Catherine were glowing, Meghan was grinding.

While they were surrounded by smiles, she was surrounded by folding chairs.

While they were being royals, she was renting a spotlight.

She might have walked on stage with a mic — but Catherine walked into hearts with a basket of apples.

And guess who the world wanted to hear about?

I think it wasn’t the one talking about herself for hours.

Meghan Markle is fighting for the headline.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are the headline.

And that’s the difference money can’t buy.