Explosive court documents have unveiled Meghan Markle's stunning allegation that Buckingham Palace orchestrated a coordinated defence for Kate Middleton against affair rumours while offering her no such protection.
The Duchess of Sussex claimed in legal filings that senior Palace aides actively worked to "shut down" speculation about Prince William's alleged relationship with Rose Hanbury, Marchioness of Cholmondeley, while leaving Meghan exposed to similar attacks.
The Unequal Treatment
According to documents obtained from her legal battle with Associated Newspapers, Meghan asserted there was a clear double standard in how the Palace handled gossip about different royal family members.
"The contrast in treatment was stark," the documents revealed. "While Kate received immediate and robust support from the institution, I was left to face the media storm alone."
The William-Kate-Hanbury Triangle
The affair rumours first emerged in 2019, suggesting tension between Kate Middleton and her Norfolk neighbour Rose Hanbury. Speculation about Prince William's relationship with the Marchioness became so widespread that journalists were reportedly instructed to stop covering the story.
"There was a concerted effort from the highest levels to protect William and Kate's reputation," a royal insider claimed. "The Palace machinery swung into action in a way we never saw for Harry and Meghan."
Legal Battle Revelations
The extraordinary claims surfaced during Meghan's lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday over the publication of her private letter to father Thomas Markle. Within those legal papers lay the stunning revelation about the Palace's alleged selective protection policy.
Royal commentators suggest this perceived inequality in treatment contributed significantly to the Sussexes' decision to step back from royal duties and eventually relocate to California.
The Palace's Defence Strategy
- Senior courtiers allegedly instructed royal correspondents to drop the Hanbury story
- Multiple sources were reportedly pressured to deny the rumours
- Official statements were prepared to defend the Cambridges
- Legal threats were made against publications pursuing the story
Meanwhile, Meghan claims she received no such institutional support when facing media scrutiny about her own family relationships and personal life.
The revelations paint a picture of a royal institution playing favourites, raising uncomfortable questions about whether there was indeed one rule for senior royals and another for the newcomers from across the Atlantic.
