Royal secrets: What really happened between Meghan, Kate and Queen Elizabeth II
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle (photo: Getty Images)
The history of the relationships among Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth II has long been one of the most widely discussed topics surrounding the British monarchy. At first, the public saw warm interactions and mutual support among them, but over time, media reports increasingly pointed to ongoing tension and a growing number of disputes behind the walls of the royal palace. RBC-Ukraine examines what caused the misunderstandings and how members of the British royal family went from apparent harmony to open strain.
Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton
Although tensions reportedly existed behind the scenes from the very beginning, the two women initially tried to maintain a "royal front" in public. However, even a short period was enough to make things clear: only a few joint appearances and subsequent official statements by Middleton and Markle exposed serious conflicts that quickly made global headlines.
Misunderstandings, different upbringings
Kate was born and raised in the United Kingdom and, therefore, grew up with a strong understanding of royal traditions and palace rules. Meghan, by contrast, came from the United States, worked as an actress, and had a very different lifestyle, which made it difficult for her to adapt to the strict demands of the monarchy.
Initial support
At one point, media reports suggested tension had already begun early in the relationship. However, in the beginning, Meghan said that Kate was one of the first people to offer her help.
Lip gloss incident
Prince Harry's book describes an incident in which Meghan asked Kate for lip gloss during one of their first joint engagements, prompting Kate to visibly recoil, as she is reportedly very particular about personal hygiene.
'Fab Four'
This was the only joint public event of the royal charity foundation at which Meghan spoke emotionally about her support for feminism. Her approach reportedly contrasted with Kate's more traditional restraint.
Wimbledon appearances
The palace organized joint appearances by the royal women at Wimbledon to dispel rumors of conflict. However, observers still noted what appeared to be only "professional politeness" rather than genuine warmth.
Commonwealth Day
This event became known as a final, public rupture between Kate and Meghan. Ahead of their move to the United States, Kate was seen visibly ignoring Meghan's greeting on camera.
Oprah Winfrey interview
This marked Meghan's first major public strike, in which she told the world that Kate had allegedly made her cry before her wedding.
Walk in Windsor
A joint appearance following the death of Queen Elizabeth II showed Kate and Meghan keeping their distance, avoiding each other and even eye contact.
Dress dispute or 'baby brain'
One of the most well-known disputes occurred ahead of Harry and Meghan's 2018 wedding over the design of the flower girl dresses.
During the disagreement, which reportedly escalated after Kate forgot certain wedding details, Meghan remarked that Kate might have "baby brain due to hormones after childbirth," a remark to which Kate reacted strongly. In his memoir, Prince Harry later wrote that he found Meghan in tears after the argument.
Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth II
Although Meghan Markle has publicly expressed her respect and warm feelings for Queen Elizabeth II, relations behind palace walls were not always harmonious.
Much of the tension reportedly stemmed from the duchess struggling to adapt to the monarchy's strict rules and traditions, while the Queen insisted they be followed without exception. At the same time, there were also positive moments between the two.
- The Queen and Meghan quickly bonded over their shared love of dogs.
- Meghan was also able to make Elizabeth II laugh, something the Queen reportedly valued highly.
- The Queen took an unprecedented step by inviting Meghan to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the royal family even before her official wedding.
Despite the warm communication, some of Meghan's decisions reportedly surprised the monarch. In particular, the Queen is said to have felt that a pure white wedding dress was not entirely appropriate for a divorced woman marrying for the second time. And this was not the only point of disagreement.
- Harry and Meghan launched their website without prior notice or approval from the Queen and published a statement on Instagram announcing they were stepping back from royal duties. Elizabeth II reportedly saw this as a personal betrayal and a "blow" to the Crown.
- In 2021, Markle and Prince Harry gave a major television interview in the United States while the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, was in hospital in critical condition. During that interview, Meghan accused the royal family of racism, claiming that someone in the family had expressed concern about the skin color of their first child, Archie.
- Meghan and Harry also named their newborn daughter Lilibet. It later emerged that this was Queen Elizabeth II's most intimate childhood nickname, used only by her parents and her late husband. The Queen was reportedly deeply displeased by this decision.
Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth II (photo: Getty Images)
