Meghan Markle is reportedly unhappy with Princess Kate's influential position within the core Royal Family, with a source suggesting she believes Kate is just as much to blame as Prince William for the King's recent statement about the Sussexes' status as "private citizens".
The statement, issued by King Charles III, was seen by many as a dig at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with the couple reportedly taken aback by the instruction that they are to be treated as private citizens rather than members of the Royal Family. Insiders and royal commentators have claimed that the Prince of Wales had a major influence on his father's decision to release the statement, and that it is part of his strategy, as the future king, to keep Harry and Meghan at arm's length from the monarchy.
Kate's alleged role in the decision
However, some insiders have also suggested that Princess Kate was influential in the decision-making process, which has reportedly left Meghan Markle unhappy. A source told Closer that Meghan isn't necessarily letting Kate "off the hook".
They told the publication: "She believes Kate is just as much to blame as William is, and she's sure it's all part of a plot to turn the King against them."
"They've both been made to feel like total outsiders since coming back, despite all the olive branches they've thrown out," the source added.
Tensions over public appearances
The source continued: "It's no surprise that she's feeling defensive. Meghan is convinced this sudden effort by Kate to be seen out and about doing all these meet and greets is aimed at outdoing her and Harry and showing them how it's done, so to speak."
Meghan and Kate have famously had a rocky relationship, with tensions dating all the way back to the former's wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, when the two women were reportedly in tears after an argument over Princess Charlotte's dress for the event. It seems that tensions between the two couples, who were once collectively known as the 'Fab Four', are still very much present.
Royal biographer Tom Bower recently told GB News that Meghan and Harry were left "pulling their hair out" in frustration after Prince William and Princess Kate stepped out for the premiere of Tom Cruise's latest film, Digger, in Leicester Square this week. Tom commented: "It was marvellous. One can imagine in the Cotswolds this morning, the Sussexes are pulling their hair out with envy and anger."
William's refusal to reunite
Meanwhile, it is understood that Prince William is refusing to reunite with Prince Harry and has even gone as far as to threaten to boycott events over the prospect of his brother and sister-in-law being there.
