What began as a hopeful story of unity turned into a prolonged rift between the two women of the British Royal Family. Kate Middleton had been a working royal for over five years when Prince Harry introduced Meghan Markle, his girlfriend at the time. As their relationship grew serious, fans envisioned a future where Kate and Meghan would form a powerful alliance within the monarchy, supporting one another for decades.

Unfortunately, this vision did not come to fruition. Even before Meghan and Harry’s wedding in 2018, tensions surfaced. One notable incident reportedly involved Kate making Meghan cry during a disagreement over Princess Charlotte’s flower girl dress. The rift between the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales has persisted for years, with little indication of reconciliation.

Early Tensions Between Kate and Meghan

When Meghan returned to the United States with Harry, it seemed to spark further competition between the couples. Reports suggest that William and Kate sought to establish a presence in the “US Royal Market,” a move that may not have sat well with Meghan. Adding to the tension, Kate received a prestigious nomination from Time Magazine, which some speculated made Meghan envious.

Initially, the public believed Kate and Meghan shared a good rapport. However, Harry’s memoir Spare revealed that their relationship got off to a rocky start. When Harry first told William and Kate about Meghan, their reaction was less than enthusiastic. According to Harry, his brother remarked, “She’s an American actress, anything could happen.”

In their Netflix series Harry & Meghan, Meghan recalled her first meeting with Kate, which was not as successful as she had hoped. She described how her casual demeanor—wearing ripped jeans and being barefoot—clashed with Kate’s more formal approach. Meghan admitted she was surprised to discover that the royal formality extended behind closed doors.

Meghan’s Disappointment

After her wedding, Meghan was eager to embrace her role as a working royal and hoped Kate would help her adjust. However, that support reportedly never materialized. Authors Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie wrote in Finding Freedom that Meghan was disappointed Kate didn’t reach out during her struggles with the press.