The behind-the-scenes drama at Buckingham Palace reached fever pitch in October with the airing of an ITV documentary in which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed how unhappy they were living in the royal fishbowl. But that wasn't all: Harry also indirectly acknowledged that the rumors about his rift with Prince William are true. Ever since, the British tabloids have been going into overdrive speculating about what's really going on between the former "Fab Four"—Harry, Meghan, William, and Kate Middleton. The most notable development since the supposed War of the Windsors came to light is vast difference in the way each couple has handled the media in wake of the controversy, a royal source told me.
"Prince Harry and Meghan are at war with the media, with Harry drawing dramatic comparisons about Meghan being treated in the same way his mother [Princess Diana] was and his perception that history is repeating itself. Still, they have both said things that only fuel more coverage," explained my source.
How? Well, "Meghan picked up the torch again when she gave another one-on-one interview recently where she told an interviewer she didn't want to be loved, she just wanted to be heard," the insider added.
Meanwhile, "William and Kate have remained radio silent. William believes in allowing the media in just so far as necessary and has kept the details of his personal life private while allowing controlled access to his family with Catherine's full support. He won't be goaded into a battle with the press and he certainly isn't going to comment on his relationship with his brother."
However, "a well-placed source" told the BBC that William was "furious" with his brother over his disclosures in the interview. (My sources have told me it's Prince Charles who's most angry about it.) And The Daily Mail quoted a palace official who offered a conflicting view, suggesting the overall mood was one of "concern," and not anger.
That said, according to my royal sources, William and Kate are doubling down on the unofficial royal rule of "never complain, never explain" in public and have been giving Harry and Meghan a "wide berth in private" since the interview aired. "This whole episode illustrates the point that the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex could not be more different," one insider said. "The same is very much the case with Catherine and Meghan. William and Catherine refuse to be drawn into any public drama and won't say a word about it, nor will they be a party to any staged rapprochement. They are our future King and Queen and they are very much aware of behaving in a way befitting of their roles."
It's interesting to note that much was made of Kate's "first solo interview" in the midst of all the drama during her trip to Pakistan with William, which was little more than a few remarks to CNN about their "fantastic" trip. "That's how circumspect Catherine is," said my source. "She has made so few public comments that anything she says draws huge public interest. She is very much like the Queen in that way."
It's also clear that Kate wants no part of the current drama. "Catherine is certainly not going to draw attention to herself because of whatever is going on between William and Harry," my source said.
The insider continued that Kate "has never put a foot wrong since marrying into the family and she certainly isn't going to start rocking the boat now." However, the insider adds: "Catherine and Harry were always very close when it was just the three of them. She wants him to be happy, but at the same time, she won't be drawn into all this. She and William will always present a united front."
Instead, Kate is focusing on her children and letting the public see her more relaxed, accessible side. She was recently spotted with her two older children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, at local Sainsbury's supermarket in Norfolk, shopping for Halloween costumes and chatting with locals. Also, according to The Daily Mail, Kate joined a group of mothers with children from George and Charlotte's school for a night out at a pub in Chelsea last month. "Catherine managed to adjust to royal life with minimal attention on herself and without any drama whatsoever," said an insider. "She's grown in confidence and clearly understands her role."
"She's not unsympathetic to Meghan," the source continued. "Catherine has tried to make Meghan feel welcome and has enjoyed spending time with her, but she's aware now her every move towards the Duchess of Sussex will be endlessly analyzed. If she does anything, it will be out of the public eye."
Royal reporter Phil Daunier claimed Kate and Meghan have since spoken over the phone since the ITV interview aired. He told The Daily Express: "Behind the scenes I'm told Kate is doing her best to bring everyone together and help Meghan. None of them want to let the Queen down so Kate is trying to patch things up in private." According to Daunier, Kate "feels sorry for [Meghan]" and knows "she is struggling."
With Harry and Meghan set to begin their extended break from their royal duties beginning next week, spending most of that time in America, all eyes will be on the young royals when they appear with the other senior royals at the Remembrance Day service on Sunday, Nov. 10.
"That will be the first time the two couples will appear in public since the ITV interview aired. Everyone will be looking to see how they behave towards each other," said my source. "But I wouldn't expect any great difference in what we've seen before. They may be standing alongside each other, but there won't be any overt overtures to silence the critics. Catherine may appear solicitous of Meghan, but that's really her kind nature. They are all very aware the eyes of the world will be on all of them." And for more insider information about the future king of England, here are 27 Things You Never Knew About Prince William.
Diane Clehane is a New York-based journalist and author of Imagining Diana and Diana: The Secrets of Her Style.
Filed UnderNews • Prince HarryRead This NextThe One Royal Rule Diana Broke That Made Motherhood Easier for Kate and Meghan
Now, mother and child never have to go a minute apart.February 22, 2019Why Queen Elizabeth and Kate Middleton Just Made Their First Solo Appearance Together
Her Majesty was sending a very clear message. March 22, 2019Here's Why Kate Middleton Takes the Official Photos of Her Children Herself
Plus, find out where she learned her photography skills.April 29, 2019Queen Elizabeth Just Gave Kate Middleton a New Honorary Title
The Duchess is now a Dame! April 29, 2019The One Fashion Trend Princess Diana Hated That Kate Middleton Has Made Stylish Again
The Duchess has resurrected this accessory and made it high fashion.July 17, 2019The Secret Reason Why Kate Middleton Is So Grateful for Meghan Markle
It's nice to have the spotlight shift, for a change.October 23, 2018The One Wardrobe Trick Meghan Stole from Kate
The Duchess of Sussex is also shopping her own closet. June 15, 2018The 10 Surprising Rules William and Kate Must Follow that Other Royals Don't
For the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, there's a higher standard in play.May 23, 201810 Things You Didn't Know about Justin Trudeau
Athlete, nerd, hopeless romantic, thespian. Yes, there’s a lot more to Canada’s Prime Minister than just politics.March 21, 2017Jon Hamm: The Best Life Interview
Jon Hamm, star of TV's Mad Men, reveals the secrets of manliness in a postmodern world.November 15, 2016
