Meghan Markle makes surprise appearance at British Fashion Awards

It was an A-list event oozing with glamour. The British Fashion Awards drew more than British celebrities like the Beckhams and Rosamund Pike.

Penelope Cruz, Uma Thurman, and a parade of supermodels and music stars were there.

But the surprise of the evening was the newest and biggest current royal star.

Meghan -- proudly pregnant -- is currently the brightest star in the royal celebrity firmament and one with an agenda. In this case, it was women's' empowerment through fashion.

"For me, this connection is rooted in really being able to understand that it's about supporting and empowering each other - especially as women," the duchess said.

As it happens, this year's winner was Claire Waight Keller, who just happens to be the designer of Meghan's wedding gown. Even at the palace, it seems, what goes around, comes around.

Meghan, royal watchers will recall, was supposed to be yet another breath of fresh air to blow the cobwebs out of the palace corridors. But lately, the wind may be blowing too strong.

The tabloids -- always in search of a juicy, new story -- have been sniffing around an alleged royal feud between Meghan, the common, mixed-race American, and Kate, Prince William's also common wife, who was the previous breath of fresh air.

The two don't get along, it's said. That's why Harry and Meghan are moving to the country and away from Kensington Palace, where William and Kate also live.

Professional royal-watchers, though, say the spat may be more about the press than the princes' wives.

"There's no doubt that Meghan and Kate are two very different characters and aids at Kensington Palace don't try and deny that, but I think that reports that there have been a huge fight and a falling out have been a little bit overblown," said Royal Correspondent Roya Nikkah.

And now comes the story of Meghan's nail polish. It seems she wore dark last night, to match her dress. Royal protocol normally calls for a lighter shade, apparently. Talk about scandal.