Kate Middleton is struggling to move past years of friction with Meghan Markle as Prince Harry plans a family return to the United Kingdom. The Princess of Wales is caught between her desire for family peace and the accumulated hurt from multiple episodes involving the Duchess of Sussex.According to an insider speaking to Heat magazine, Kate remains “an incredibly forgiving person,” but the emotional toll of past incidents has made forgiveness challenging. “There has been so much hurt stirred up over the years by Meghan, it’s impossible for her to simply forget everything and move on overnight,” the source said.
Kate Middleton’s support for reconciliation efforts
The insider revealed that Kate has expressed support for efforts to repair the fractured relationship between Prince Harry and King Charles III despite Prince William reportedly taking a firmer stance against reconciliation following years of estrangement. “Kate does want to see Harry, and she wants to do whatever she can to help the King,” the source explained.However, Meghan Markle’s involvement in the planned visit fundamentally alters the situation. The insider acknowledged that Kate has “always had a soft spot” for Harry, suggesting the dynamic would be significantly different if he were travelling alone. “If Harry was coming on his own, it would be a very different story. It’s Meghan’s involvement that changes the dynamic completely. As much as Kate wants this peace, it’s impossible not to worry about what chaos Meghan will bring,” the source said.
Kate is reportedly supportive of efforts to heal family divisions despite lingering emotional wounds from previous disputes.Image credit (Instagram)
Years of documented tension between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle
The friction between the two women dates back years, even preceding Harry and Meghan’s 2020 departure from royal duties and relocation to California. During their 2021 CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey, the couple addressed a report claiming Meghan had made Kate cry before the 2018 royal wedding. Meghan contested the narrative, stating that Kate had apologised and brought flowers and a note. “What was hard to get over was being blamed for something that not only I didn’t do, but that happened to me”, Meghan explained, clarifying that the incident involved the fit of Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress.Harry revisited several disagreements in his 2023 memoir ‘Spare ‘, recounting that he found Meghan “on the floor” in tears following a dispute with Kate. He also described an incident where Meghan allegedly told Kate she must have “baby brain” because of her hormones after Prince Louis’ birth, a remark Harry said Kate found offensive.In another episode detailed in the memoir, Harry recounted an awkward moment when Meghan asked to borrow Kate’s lip gloss before a joint appearance in 2018. “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,” Prince Harry wrote.
Additional allegations and their impact
Beyond these personal incidents, staffers at Kensington Palace accused Meghan of bullying employees during the period when the Sussexes and Waleses shared a royal household. Meghan has consistently denied the allegations. According to Heat’s source, these episodes combined with Harry and Meghan’s repeated public criticisms of the royal family—including allegations that palace aides had planted negative stories about the Sussexes to protect other senior royals—have left emotional wounds that Kate has struggled to process.
Uncertainty surrounding the planned UK visit
The question of whether Kate will need to face these tensions has become unclear, as reports emerged suggesting that Prince Harry and Meghan’s planned July family trip to Britain may not proceed as originally planned. According to The Guardian, Harry’s request for police protection when his family is outside of royal residences was denied. A source close to Harry said the duke is “distraught” after the family’s plans were effectively “pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour.” The source added that Harry is “looking at every option to try and get the family here safely and keep them safe when they’re on the ground. If he can find a way to do that, he will.”Prince Harry is still expected to travel to Britain for engagements connected to the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games as well as visits with charities. According to The Telegraph, one option being considered involves flying the Sussexes to Britain from mainland Europe for just a single day instead of the originally planned five-day visit.
Reports suggest Kate wants to see bridges rebuilt despite the challenges surrounding a potential family reunion.Image credit (Instagram)
Kate Middleton’s delicate position amid family tensions
Despite the reported anxiety surrounding Meghan’s possible presence, the insider insisted Kate has no interest in escalating family tensions and remains focused on what she believes is best for the monarchy. “Kate’s not bad-mouthing Meghan, but everyone in her inner circle knows what a difficult spot this has put her in. It’s no secret there was a lot of friction between her and Meghan, and that hasn’t nearly been forgotten,” the insider claimed.According to the source, Kate supports King Charles’ reported desire to reconnect with Harry and spend time with his grandchildren. “Kate wants peace; she wants Charles to have this opportunity with Harry and the children, but this is causing her no end of anxiety,” the insider said.The source further emphasised Kate’s personal struggles with the broader situation. “Kate has always risen above the drama, but just because she’s stayed quiet doesn’t mean she hasn’t been affected by everything that’s happened. There’s been so much hurt for her personally, not to mention Kate’s had a front-row seat to the impact it’s had on William and is still having to this day,” the insider concluded.The situation reflects the ongoing complexity of the royal family dynamics as various members attempt to navigate relationships fractured by years of public disputes, private disagreements and competing accounts of significant events.
