In his latest book, "Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy's Fight for Survival," author Omid Scobie sheds light on the strained relationship between Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.
According to Scobie, despite initial hopes for a supportive bond, the two women never formed a close connection, even before the rift between their husbands, Prince William and Prince Harry, exacerbated tensions.
As detailed in excerpts from Scobie's book, Meghan, who often felt lonely and isolated during her time as a working royal, had hoped to find an ally in Kate, another outsider who married into the royal family. However, Scobie alleges that Kate was "uninterested in forming this kind of bond" with Meghan. He quotes a former staff member of Kate's, who described the Princess as being "cold" towards those she dislikes and "never a fan" of Meghan.
The book describes instances where Kate reportedly spent more time discussing Meghan than engaging with her directly, even "jokingly shivering" at the mention of Meghan's name. This claim underscores the apparent depth of the discord between the two women.
Prince Harry, in his memoir "Spare," further reveals the extent of the strained relationship, recounting a heated exchange between Meghan and Kate. The argument, which took place before Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018, revolved around Meghan's comment about Kate's "baby brain" due to hormones, a remark that deeply upset Kate. An attempt to resolve the issue over tea at Kensington Palace in June 2018 reportedly ended with Kate demanding an apology from Meghan and a tense exchange between the brothers.
In the Netflix series "Harry & Meghan," Meghan recalls her first in-person meeting with Kate, noting that her instinctive hug might have been "jarring" for the Princess, accustomed to more formality.
Scobie also touches on the deterioration of Harry's relationship with Kate, suggesting that she can no longer trust him following his and Meghan's candid interviews. An insider close to the family reflects on Kate's fond memories with Harry but notes that trust has been irreparably damaged.
The Sussexes' decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and relocate to America, known as Megxit, further strained their relationship with William and Kate. This move left the Wales couple with the added pressure of filling the void left by Harry and Meghan, balancing their royal responsibilities with parenting their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
