Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and sister-in-law Kate Middleton, the Duchess
of Cambridge, hit the headlines this weekend over rumours of a rift between the wives of
Prince Harry and Prince William. Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton are said
to have “friction” between them, which is why their husbands Prince Harry and Prince
William are said to be splitting their royal residences.
This weekend the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who are expecting their first child – announced
they will be moving from Kensington Palace to Frogmore House in Windsor once renovations
have been completed. Their two-bedroom home in Kensington Palace
was just next door to the Cambridges, but brothers William and Harry reportedly wanted
to separate their official residences to focus on their individual goals.
However, the family are now facing reports Harry and Meghan moved out due to “tension”
between Catherine and the former Suits actress. A source said on Sunday: “They don’t really
get on”. But what is the truth behind Meghan and Kate’s
relationship? Body language expert Judi James said that
while there have been little signs between the women at royal engagements that show tension,
in the main, the group dynamic between the “fab four” has simply changed.
The Duchess of Cambridge is more traditional. Judi explained: “With her perfect smile
and impeccable royal demeanour Kate has not put one foot wrong since joining the royal
family but - thanks to the age of the Queen and the rather low-key profile of Camilla
she has gradually been evolving into the role of matriarch and even backbone of the royal
family, thanks to years of slowly-growing confidence mixed with a strong respect for
tradition. “This has also meant a growing role in some
of the group charities that William, Kate and Harry have been funding as a team of three.
“Kate earned her role as powerhouse and hub of the royal family by following tradition
rather than instigating change. Like everyone else she could have expected Harry's choice
of bride to be someone younger and shyer or less confident and I'm sure she was prepared
to take the newbie under her wing and show her the ropes as she took a very similar route
as Kate herself. “Instead she met a woman her own age, a
very glamorous, strong, confident and eloquent Hollywood star with some very passionate ideas
on how she wants to change the world. Meghan is a mover and shaker, a feminist and a campaigner
with an ability to speak up and to speak powerfully and inspirationally.”
Natural family conflict. In February this year, Meghan, Kate, Harry
and William came together for the Royal Foundation Forum and the foursome were seen laughing
when asked about family conflicts. Judi explained: “It is probably a minor
miracle that the two women get on as well as they do. It was clear from the first moment
we saw the charity team of three take to the stage as a team of four that this probably
wasn't going to work. “Asked if there had been conflict during
their planning stages the answer was an immediate and spontaneous 'yes' with Meghan smiling
knowingly at Harry before William rose to his feet to emphasise the fact that the charity
was Kate's idea and project.” Judi continued: “Meghan integrated well
with her body language, mirroring Kate on stage but as soon as she spoke quickly and
passionately it was quite easy to see that a minor whirlwind had hit the group and that
she was probably a 'mover' to Kate's more 'status quo' approach.”
Differences in style. Judi pointed out “there are no obvious signals
from the women's body language to suggest any form of tension but there have been very
few moments of actual friendship either”. She added: “But wouldn't that be natural
in any family when a new sister-in-law comes in and upsets the established group formation?
Kate has made some rather telling changes since Meghan arrived, one being her new styling
of a chic 40s’ or 50’s look. “This does seem to suggest a desire to assert
her own individual and traditionalist style that has echoes of the Queen's look at her
age and it is in contrast to the slightly less formal and more contemporary looks worn
by the duchess. I believe it in some way sets out her stall as a traditionalist to Meghan's
more campaigning profile.”
Meghan’s modern outlook. Judi explained how Meghan’s plans for change
are far more modern than Kate and Prince Williams, summarising: “Meghan's style of change is
far more elegant, intelligent, modern and worthy but it might not be William and Kate's
more traditional way of doing things and it could be this that has created a breaking
up of the team rather than any actual tension between the two women.”
The body language expert also looked at recent photos of the women, saying that at the Remembrance
Sunday service Meghan looked keen to use Kate as a role model at such an important occasion.
“Kate adopts her retro and more traditional styling here that defines and underlines her
approach to her royal role. Meghan watches her closely from behind, suggesting she is
keen to use Kate as a role-model in terms of protocol,” Judi said.
And in pictures of Kate and Meghan’s first joint public outing at Wimbledon, Judi noted:
“The spatial gap could suggest distance at this moment but in fact it was at Wimbledon
that we saw the first and so far only displays of open closeness and friendship between the
two women, who were often seen using confiding signals, with Meghan both mirroring Kate and
giggling with her.”