When Meghan joined the Royal Family, she quickly bonded with Prince William. Unfortunately, the same rapport didn’t develop between Meghan and Kate Middleton, which understandably affected William.
After Meghan and Harry stepped back from royal duties, her connection with William was completely severed. Even during their time as working royals, there were indications that all was not harmonious. One expert even suggested that William made a firm statement against Meghan, delivering a pointed remark in just 11 words.
The tension extended beyond Prince Harry and William’s relationship; Meghan’s ties with other royals also frayed. This strain began before Harry and Meghan officially exited the Royal Family and had a noticeable effect on Meghan and William’s dynamic.
Initially, the future king and Meghan, a former star of the hit TV series Suits, seemed to share a good relationship. However, William reportedly harbored doubts about his brother’s decision-making regarding Meghan.
Prince William’s Early Concerns About Meghan Markle
At first, William appeared to welcome Meghan, though he had some reservations. Harry and Meghan’s romance developed swiftly after being introduced on a blind date.
About a year before their wedding—and a year into their relationship—William sought to talk to Harry about his future wife. According to Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, William reportedly advised Harry, “Don’t feel you need to rush this” and “Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.”
This advice, however, upset Harry, who reportedly took offense at William referring to Meghan as “the girl.”
William’s Desire for Meghan’s Happiness
Despite any reservations, William chose to keep his deeper feelings private. According to an insider, he “desperately wanted her to be happy” and recognized the immense challenges of adapting to royal life.
Although tensions may have existed behind the scenes before Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding, they were largely hidden from public view. Yet, months before their nuptials at St. George’s Chapel, a royal expert suggested that William may have subtly criticized Meghan during a speech.
Subtle Criticism at a Royal Event?
According to royal expert Richard Eden, an awkward moment involving Meghan borrowing Kate’s lip gloss backstage may have added to the friction. Eden claims William later appeared to take a veiled swipe at Meghan during a speech. Meghan had publicly supported the Me Too and Time’s Up movements, which Eden noted could conflict with the Royal Family’s desire to avoid political entanglements.
Eden highlighted a particular line in William’s address: “The task for us would not be to reinvent the wheel.” He speculated that this comment might have been aimed at Meghan.
Warnings and Current Tensions
Today, Harry and Meghan live far from the Royal Family, but their star power remains undeniable. Meanwhile, the royal institution has faced challenges, including King Charles’ and Kate Middleton’s busy schedules and Queen Camilla’s recent health concerns.
Royal historian Tessa Dunlop warned that the Sussexes, described as “instinctively glamorous with plenty of razzmatazz,” could pose a significant challenge to Prince William. She advised him to remain cautious.
Prince Harry’s Possible Return
While it seems unlikely that Harry and Meghan will reconcile with the Royal Family soon, rumors persist about Harry’s openness to returning to the UK. Some reports suggest he has even explored acquiring a permanent residence there, though Meghan appears less inclined to make such a move.
Life in the US and Contingency Plans
Despite speculation, the Sussexes reportedly have no intention of leaving the US. However, they’ve purchased property in Portugal, which some see as a potential backup plan amid uncertainties surrounding Harry’s visa status in the United States. Regardless, the couple remains committed to their life in the US for now.