In a revealing new book, Kate Middleton reportedly viewed Meghan Markle as "abrasive" and sensed that she and Prince Harry had an underlying agenda from early in their acquaintance, according to royal editor Russell Myers. The insights, detailed in Myers' upcoming release William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, shed light on the strained dynamics between the two women behind the polished public facade of the royal family.
The relationship between Middleton and Markle has been tense for years, despite initial efforts from both sides to foster goodwill. During Markle's time as a working royal, the pair appeared together at public events, including tennis matches and outings alongside their husbands, Prince William and Prince Harry. These appearances fueled public perceptions of harmony, but private tensions simmered due to stark differences in personalities and upbringings.
Cultural contrasts quickly emerged as a point of friction. Markle, hailing from California, is known for her affectionate nature and fondness for hugs. In contrast, Middleton, from Reading, England, is less comfortable with such gestures, particularly from those she is not intimately close to. These disparities contributed to the growing divide between the duchesses.
Myers' book discloses that Middleton anticipated Harry and Markle's eventual departure from royal duties and the United Kingdom, attributing it partly to the strained relationship between Harry and William. When Harry first introduced Markle to William and Middleton, the couple—referred to as the Waleses—welcomed her warmly, with Middleton eager to guide her through royal protocols.
However, Markle, formerly known for her role in the television series Suits, did not reciprocate Middleton's overtures. It soon became evident to William and Middleton that Harry and Markle's behavior suggested a deeper motive beyond mere difficulties in adjustment.
"They definitely thought the Sussexes' behaviour stemmed from something more than being difficult. The whole atmosphere between them was pretty toxic. Meghan was being bullish, Kate found her abrasive. She saw the inevitability of the parting of ways, although perhaps not to the extent of what eventually happened," Myers wrote, as reported by the Mirror.
