The arrival of Meghan Markle into the royal fold in 2016 allegedly caused a significant shift in the dynamics between Prince Harry and his sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, according to royal commentators and insiders.
Sources claim that Meghan’s “jealousy” and “disruptive” influence strained the once-close relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the now-Princess of Wales. Ingrid Seward, Editor-in-Chief of Majesty magazine and author of “My Mother and I,” told The Telegraph that before Meghan entered the picture, Kate was the first person to meet and “approve” of Harry’s girlfriends. “Every time he had a new girlfriend, the first person that would meet her would be Kate,” Seward said. “And then Meghan came into the mix, and it was disruptive. It wasn’t like the other girlfriends.”
Seward added, “I think that Meghan must have been incredibly envious and then jealous of Kate.” This sentiment was echoed by a former palace courtier during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, who claimed that “Kate knew from the start that Meghan was bad news.” The courtier also suggested that there were concerns about a potential “underlying attraction” between Prince William and Meghan, which they deemed “ridiculous.”
The tensions between the Sussexes and the Waleses reportedly came to a head during a tea invitation at the Waleses’ home in June 2018, just one month after Harry and Meghan’s wedding. In his 2023 memoir, “Spare,” Prince Harry detailed a heated exchange between his wife and his brother, stemming from an alleged comment Meghan made about Kate having “baby brain.”
According to Harry’s account, Kate confronted Meghan, believing that the former actress was calling her “stupid.” Meghan insisted that she was jokingly referring to Kate’s hormones being out of balance due to her pregnancy with Prince Louis. The situation escalated when Prince William allegedly pointed his finger in Meghan’s face and said, “Well, it’s rude, Meghan.” The Duchess of Sussex firmly replied, “If you don’t mind, move your finger away from my face.”
The incident highlighted the growing tensions within the royal family, with Meghan reportedly finding it difficult to follow royal protocol, which “clashed with her feminist values.” A royal insider claimed that the American-turned-British royal “despised” having to walk paces behind Kate, Camilla, and even the late Queen Elizabeth II during her brief royal career.
Since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have divulged private family information through interviews, their Netflix documentary, and Harry’s memoir, further straining their relationships with the royal family. The release of “Spare” and the Sussexes’ Netflix series has reportedly soured relations even further.
The accusations of Meghan’s “jealousy” and “disruptive” influence on Harry’s relationship with Kate and the royal family have added another layer to the ongoing royal rift. As the public continues to speculate about the dynamics within the royal family, it remains to be seen whether the relationships between the Sussexes and the Waleses can be mended or if the divide will continue to grow.
The alleged confrontation between Prince William and Meghan Markle over her “rude” comment to Kate Middleton serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the royal family in navigating personal relationships and public perceptions. As the monarchy continues to evolve and adapt to changing times, the importance of maintaining a united front and resolving internal conflicts becomes increasingly apparent.
