Meghan Markle takes up Princess Kate's favourite hobby just hours after surprising announcement

Interestingly, Princess Kate shares this same hobby with her sister-in-law.

The Princess of Wales is known to be a fan of beekeeping and previously posted on her official social media accounts a photo of herself in protective clothing tending to a beehive.

This image was shared in May 2023 as the princess marked World Bee Day.

It is believed that Kate keeps bees at her Anmer Hall property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The hobby appears to run in the Middleton family, as beekeeping is reportedly an interest Kate shares with her younger brother, James.

The coincidental shared interest has created an unexpected parallel between the two royal women, who have had a reportedly strained relationship in recent years.

Meghan's taking up beekeeping comes just hours after Princess Kate made a quip about jam, which many have interpreted as a subtle dig at the Duchess of Sussex.

During a trip to Wales on Wednesday, Kate revealed she has her own plum jam recipe.

The Princess promised volunteers who were growing plums and making jam: "I'll send you my plum jam recipe so you can try it."

This announcement came just hours before Meghan's beekeeping teaser and a year after the Duchess of Sussex announced her own foray into preserves.

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Meghan has been sending pots of homemade jam under her lifestyle brand, recently rebranded as "As Ever" following trademark issues.

The timing of Kate's jam comments has raised eyebrows, creating another unexpected parallel between the two women.

Both appear to embrace traditional homemaking activities alongside their royal and public duties.