Royal sisters-in-law Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, the wives of Prince Harry and Prince William respectively, are pressured to become best friends. A source intimated that the two duchesses are in such a precarious situation that if they didn't appear to get along in public, then they would be pitted against each other.
The insider told People of Meghan and Kate's predicament in exclusive coverage. However, questions about the real state of their relationship were raised when Meghan and Kate were seen together without their husbands at the recent Wimbledon.
Are they hanging out together because they genuinely like each other? Are they just trying to get along because of their marriages to the British princes?
The source said that outside of their royal roles, Meghan and Kate indeed have their circle of friends. They also live about 25 miles away from each other after Prince Harry and Meghan moved out of Kensington Palace last March to stay at the Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
The Sussexes and the Cambridges have also decided to split their royal foundations. Thus, with all these separations, it can be harder for Meghan and Kate to hangout or bond, given their busy schedules.
However, much to some people's surprise, their relationship has evolved over the years as the duchesses are learning to figure out their roles in the British royal family, the source said. Separating the houses and their roles have allowed Meghan and Kate to strengthen their relationship as sisters-in-law and friends.
Another source told ELLE that Meghan and Kate had planned several weeks ago to go to the Wimbledon together with Kate's sister Pippa Middleton. The women enjoy each other's company, and it was evident in their photos from the royal box at the tennis event.
"Not only is it something that they enjoy, but it's also a chance to remind people that the tabloid stories about their relationship have been wide of the mark," the insider said.
Witnesses also claimed via Harper's Bazaar that Kate rubbed Meghan's back when she consoled her over the loss of tennis star Serena Williams, who is one of Meghan's closest friends. The duchesses were also chatty with each other with some observers noting how sweet they are to each other.
One other reason why Meghan and Kate's friendship isn't forced, despite the pressures, is because they have bonded over the fact that they are both mothers now. Royal experts say that the two women's relationship has become warmer since they are in similar situations with having young kids.
