Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's fractured relationship from tears to distance
There was a time when Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton looked as though they had formed an unwavering friendship, but that sadly wasn't to last.
The pair first met in January 2017, when the Duchess of Sussex started dating Prince Harry. Before the couple married in May 2018, Meghan is said to have gone to Kate for advice on life inside the Royal Family.
At the time, sources claimed Meghan was told she could turn to Kate whenever she needed anything, adding: "She shouldn't hesitate to get in touch." Here, we've taken a look at the pair's relationship over the years.
Positive first meeting
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Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle once seemed close (PA)The Princess of Wales is believed to have seen Meghan as a "breath of fresh air" for the monarchy after they first met and it seems the feelings were mutual. "[Meghan] really admires how Kate has carved out her own space when it comes to humanitarian work alongside being an amazing mother," a source told Us Weekly at the time.
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After a warm meeting, Meghan and Kate stepped out with their partners Harry and Prince William at Christmas 2017, with the media quickly coining the phrase "The Fab Four" to describe the group. Kate even gushed over her sister-in-law when news of Meghan and Harry's engagement was shared.
"We are very excited for Harry and Meghan," she said in a joint statement with her husband Prince William. She later told reporters: "It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together. William and I are absolutely thrilled. It's such exciting news. It's a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment."
Wedding day drama
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex tied the knot in 2018 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)It didn't take long for rumours of a rift between the two women to circulate. Reports emerged of a heated interaction between Meghan and Kate, just days before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex tied the knot. It was reported that Meghan had left Kate in tears after making comments about Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress.
During a dramatic interview with Oprah Winfrey three years later, Meghan sensationally claimed it was actually the other way around. Kate is said to have told Meghan there was a "problem" with her daughter Princess Charlotte's dress. She's then alleged to have said all of the bridesmaid dresses needed to be "completely remade."
Meghan admitted she had been "hurt" by Kate's actions, but said the Princess of Wales had eventually apologised. Harry explained the situation in his memoir, Spare. The Duke of Sussex said he had found Meghan crying "on the floor" after an argument with Kate over bridesmaid dresses.
Defying feud rumours
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle made their first appearance at Wimbledon in 2018 (Daily Mirror)Despite the apparent tensions, Meghan and Kate made their first solo appearance together at Wimbledon in July 2018. They seemed to have a great time watching tennis and smiled as they supported Serena Williams.
Following their Wimbledon outing, the pair seemed to grow even closer and Kate was very happy when Meghan and Harry announced they were expecting a baby. "It's such a special time to have all kiddies and a cousin for George and Charlotte as well, and Louis, so it'll be really special," Kate gushed.
Growing distant
The Fab Four seemed to grow apart in November 2018 (Getty Images)Speculation of a feud within The Fab Four started to grow after it was announced in November 2018 that Meghan and Harry would be moving to a larger home in Windsor. Their new property was about 30 miles away from William and Kate.
However, sources insisted that their bond was as close as ever and said they even stayed in touch via a group chat. In fact, the two couples even came together to celebrate Christmas that year at Sandringham House.
Separate Christmas
Meghan and Harry stayed with Doria Ragland in December 2019 (Netflix)In 2019, Meghan and Harry decided to spend Christmas away from the Royal Family. Instead, they celebrated the holidays with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland. It's believed that Harry's rift with his brother was behind their decision.
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A source said at the time: "The drama surrounding the couple has caused a huge amount of stress. They're making their family their number one priority right now."
Meghan and Kate were finally seen in public together four months after spending Christmas apart, as they came together for the Commonwealth Day Service. Things seemed tense during the service and the Prince and Princess of Wales barely interacted with the Sussexes.
Netflix bombshells
The Sussexes released a dramatic Netflix documentary (Netflix)Harry and Meghan shocked the world when they released their bombshell Netflix docuseries. In the show, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about her first meeting with Kate and admitted she was surprised by the reception.
"When William and Kate came over and I met her for the first time, they came over for dinner, and I remember I was in ripped jeans and I was barefoot. I was a hugger. I've always been a hugger. I didn't realise that is really jarring for a lot of Brits," Meghan said.
The former Suits star added: "I guess I started to understand very quickly that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside, that there is a forward-facing way of being, and then you close the door and you go, 'Oh, alright, OK, I can relax now,' but that formality carries over on both sides, and that was surprising to me."
Memoir revelations
Prince Harry spoke about Meghan and Kate in Spare (Shutterstock)Prince Harry made further explosive accusations in his debut memoir Spare. He admitted one encounter between his wife and sister-in-law made Kate "grimace".
The Duke of Sussex said Kate had been put off when Meghan asked to borrow some lip-gloss. "Kate, taken aback, went into her handbag and reluctantly pulled out a small tube. Meg squeezed some onto her finger and applied it to her lips. Kate grimaced," he claimed.
Kate was 'uninterested' in bonding with Meghan
It seems as though the pair were never actually close (PA)Omid Scobie's bombshell new book Endgame has proved readers with further insight into the relationship between Meghan and Kate. In the book, the author says they didn't have an "instant bond" and alleged the Princess of Wales was actually "uninterested" in being friends.
Omid said Meghan had hoped to be able to confide in Kate as she transitioned into life inside The Firm. He said she found her time as a working Royal to be a "lonely and isolated experience".
However, he wrote: "They were once both outsiders, middle-class women brought into the house of Windsor for unimaginably different lives. Kate, however, was uninterested in forming this kind of bond with Meghan."
The author added that Kate could be "cold" if she didn't like someone and said she "wasn't a fan of Meghan". In Endgame, he claims Kate "spent more time talking about Meghan than talking to her."
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