Meghan Markle and Prince Harry aren't even working royals anymore, but the drama between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle continues. Things started off a good note — at least publicly — with the media calling the Cambridges and Sussexes the "Fab Four." But as reports started to emerge that the ladies weren't the besties they appeared to be in some photos, things took a turn.
Since 2018, there have been multiple media reports on arguments the duchess and princess have allegedly had. And things were recently reignited during Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey. In her first time talking since her royal exit, the Duchess of Sussex clarified her side of some of the reports, and she ended up kind of making Kate look bad in the process.
It's been three years since the drama started, and things aren't fading into the background any time soon. Here's how they got to where things are today.
January 2017: Meghan & Kate's First Meeting
Several months into Meghan and Harry's courtship, the prince brought his girlfriend to meet William and Kate. The book Finding Freedom reported that the meetup took place the day after Kate's birthday, and Meghan came armed with a gift. "The soft leather Smythson notebook helped to break the ice, as did Meghan's cooing over then 20-month old Charlotte," the authors wrote.
Things started off on such a good note!
Early in the Relationship, Kate Reportedly Shared Her Concerns with Harry
Despite Meghan's attempt to befriend Kate, the book Royals at War claimed that the Duchess of Cambridge wasn't too sure of the actress in the beginning. Sources claimed to the Royals at War authors that Kate "gently reminded [Harry] that he was dating someone with a completely different life, past, and career and it would take time, care and attention for them to integrate."
It's not like Kate necessarily tried to talk Harry out of marrying Meghan, but she was allegedly hesitant about the romance.
Come the Engagement, Kate Shared a Public Message of Support
Any concerns Kate had weren't made known to the public at the time, so when Meghan and Harry announced their engagement in November 2017, she was quick to congratulate them. Kensington Palace issued a statement on behalf of the Cambridges, and Kate told reporters, "William and I are absolutely thrilled. It's such exciting news. It's a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment."
The Duo was Pictured Together at Christmas 2017
The first time Meghan and Kate were publicly photographed together came in December 2017. Meghan was invited to join the royals for the Christmas church service, although the same courtesy had not been extended to Kate until she had officially married William. The two women seemed cordial enough in the photos and were seen chatting and smiling with one another.
March 2018: Reports Claimed They Have a "Wonderful Friendship"
In March 2018, just a couple of months before Meghan and Harry would tie the knot, an insider claimed to Us Weekly that Meghan and Kate had a "wonderful friendship."
The source claimed that Meghan would often drop by Kate's house and the two would talk about adjusting to the royal family and Kate's upcoming birth. Reportedly Meghan would even bring snacks that she cooked herself. Looking back on everything now, the claims this insider made seem a little inaccurate.
The Pre-Wedding Argument and Ensuing Apology
Although media reports circulated that the two women were getting along swimmingly, the duo was having one of their biggest fights behind the scenes. Coverage on the pre-wedding argument wouldn't come out for months, but Meghan later confirmed in her 2021 Oprah interview that she and Kate had a disagreement over the flower girl dresses, and it left Meghan in tears.
At the time the reports first came out, sources claimed that Kate was the one who had cried, but Meghan later said it was the other way around. The duchess added that Kate eventually sent flowers to apologize.
July 2018: Kate and Meghan Enjoyed a Day of Tennis Together
Whatever transpired behind palace doors, the two women still looked very friendly in public. They both attended the Wimbledon tennis match together in the summer of 2018, and they joked and talked through the event.
Meghan commented on the happy photos while talking to Oprah, who had asked if the two were as cordial as it looked. "My understanding and my experience for the past four years is that it's nothing like what it looks like," Meghan responded.
The Cambridges and Sussexes Decided To End Their Working Relationship
Things started to spin out of control in the media when it was revealed in October 2018 that Meghan and Harry planned to move away from the Cambridges and stop working on their joint foundation together. Soon it was reported that the split happened after Meghan allegedly yelled at one of Kate's staffers (an allegation Meghan has denied). Others claimed the two women had differing visions for their joint charity and couldn't make things work. However, the palace denied any feud rumors.
Kate Downplayed Tension While Congratulating Meghan on Her Pregnancy
Unflappable as always, Kate acted like nothing was the matter when out at an event a few weeks later. When she was asked about Meghan's recently announced pregnancy, Kate was nothing but kind.
"Yeah, absolutely, [I’m excited for Meghan]," she said. "It’s such a special time to have all the kiddies and a cousin for George and Charlotte as well as Louis so it’ll be really special."
They Acted Overly Friendly at Christmas 2018
Come time for the Christmas church service in December 2018, it seemed Kate and Meghan were both trying a little too hard to quell feud rumors. The duo whispered to one another and smiled as if sharing secrets, but many thought that it looked staged. Instead of generating feud-free press, it just fueled the rumors that all wasn't well.
By March 2019, They Reportedly Put Aside Their Differences
After the failed Christmas PR stunt, Meghan and Kate both reportedly agreed to put aside their differences.
"I do know that Meghan and Kate have come to an agreement to get along, to make an effort, to be amiable and warm toward each other in public," royal expert Katie Nicholl claimed in March 2019. "They both realize it's in neither of their interests to have these catfight headlines. It's not what either of them want."
That Summer, They Attended Events Together
Following their reported agreement, Meghan and Kate made joint appearances at a couple of summertime events. They both went to Wimbledon together, where they seemed quite happy. And they brought their children to watch Harry and William play polo. Based on the paparazzi photos, they hardly interacted, but there appeared to be no major drama between them.
January 2020: #Megxit Rocked the Royal Family
The public was taken aback by Harry and Meghan's early 2020 announcement that they would be stepping down as senior royals — but the royal family itself was also shaken by the decision. The news came a day before Kate Middleton's birthday, so it overshadowed her special day.
And on their way out, Meghan and Harry also took another dig at Kate. After they received pushback for trying to trademark the Sussex Royal name, they made a statement reminding people that Kate had also taken out similar trademarks. It was all getting so messy.
Their Final Public Appearance Seemed Awkward
In March 2020, the Sussexes and Cambridges gathered for a final royal event together: the Commonwealth Day service. Things seemed frosty between the former "Fab Four," although some of that is due to protocol that required Meghan and Harry to walk behind Kate and William. Still, it was clear that something was up.
Kate Now Shoulders Much of Harry and Meghan's Work
After Meghan and Harry stepped down, Kate reportedly had mixed feelings about all the changes. On the one hand, sources claimed she felt overwhelmed by all the additional work she suddenly had to take on in their absence. (The palace denied these reports.) At the same time, other sources claimed that Kate felt a bit relieved that Meghan was gone so the two wouldn't be compared so much.
March 2021: Meghan Called Kate a 'Good Person' During Her Oprah Interview
After telling her side of the flower girl dress argument, Meghan clarified in her Oprah interview that she has forgiven Kate for any of their struggles.
"She's a good person, and I think so much of what I have seen play out was this idea of polarity where if you love me you don't have to hate her, and if you love her, you don't need to hate me," Meghan said.
Kate Reportedly Wants To Comment Publicly
As Meghan explained to Oprah, royals are usually discouraged from publicly commenting on rumors and media reports. But Kate Middleton reportedly wants to break protocol to issue her own statement following Meghan's interview.
"[Kate] was dragged into this within 10 minutes of Meghan's interview and she hasn't been able to fight back," an insider claimed. "She usually adopts the Queen's 'never complain, never explain' approach, but this has gone too far."
So far, though, Kate has stayed quiet.
