You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family – and you definitely can’t choose your in-laws. So, it’s no surprise, and also no secret, that Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have struggled to find common ground in the past. Indeed, rumours of tension between the duchesses have circulated ever since Meghan and Prince Harry’s wedding in 2018.
But since the height of the hostilities earlier this year, tensions have eased. And with rumours circulating last week that Kate may be pregnant again, plus reports that the Sussexes are planning to return to the UK later this month, insiders tell us Meghan is reaching out to her sister-in-law and laying down the groundwork for a peaceful reunion.
“This is a pivotal time for Meghan,” says an insider close to the Duchess, who’s believed to be accompanying Harry on a flying visit back to the UK – her first time back on British soil in 18 months – alongside their two-year-old son Archie and three-month-old daughter Lilibet.
“She’s standing by everything that she’s said, but she also wants to move on. She’s been making lots of transatlantic calls to Kate and they’re certainly in a much better place than they were six months ago.”
CHECK OUT Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's love story from the start
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline
1 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
2 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
3 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
4 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
5 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
6 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Marklec
'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
7 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
8 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
9 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
10 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
11 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
12 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
13 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
14 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
15 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
16 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
17 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
18 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
19 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
20 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
21 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
22 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
23 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
24 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
25 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
26 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
27 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
28 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
29 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
30 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
31 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
32 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
Last week, Kate made her first public appearance in 60 days – sparking whispers that baby number four could be on the way. The Duchess has a habit of staying out of the public eye during the early stages of pregnancy, as she suffers from severe morning sickness. Her fashion choice of an oversized blazer, and with a handbag (which she rarely carries) strategically held in front of her, only fuelled the rumours that she’s expecting again. And with family on their mind, both Kate and William are said to be keen to be on better terms with the Sussexes, especially before their imminent trip to the UK.
Reports of a rift between the two couples peaked back in March, when Meghan and Harry sat down with Oprah Winfrey and accused “The Firm” of “perpetuating falsehoods” against them. During the interview, Meghan referred to a story that originally circulated in 2018, that she’d made Kate cry during a bridesmaid’s dress fitting, arguing that it had actually been the reverse.
She added that, while Kate was “a good person” and had apologised, “the narrative” surrounding the incident was “really, really difficult”. This only aggravated rumours of bad blood between them.
Look! More news!
This is the text Meghan Markle sent to a friend after meeting Prince Harry
Meanwhile, the Sussexes have done little to ease tensions with the palace – and Harry is believed to have upset Prince William and Prince Charles with his continued outbursts, culminating in his soon-to-be-published memoir. Last week, they reportedly ruffled feathers again after being named by TIME as one of the magazine’s 100 most influential people – and appearing on its front cover – just six months after that Oprah chat. In their bio, close friend José Andrés commended them for “running towards the struggle” and giving a “voice to the voiceless”.
But according to our source, the brothers and their respective wives are slowly but surely repairing their relationship, with Meghan leading the way. After all, for all their criticisms, being part of the royals is a vital part of the Sussexes’ brand. And thankfully we’re told that the Cambridges are in a forgiving mood.
“Their conversations have mostly covered light topics and focused on the kids,” we’re told. “They’ve also spoken about the Queen, their charity work, and trivial things like lifestyle and travel. Kate is pleased that Meghan has reached out and she ultimately supports her and Harry’s choice to pursue their own life abroad. But her stance remains that there’s no need to criticise the monarchy, and it’s everyone’s duty to apologise for any misunderstandings and move forward.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.