- Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton first met in January 2018, the day after Kate's 36th birthday.
- Meghan brought a thoughtful present for her then-future sister-in-law: a leather-bound Smythson notebook.
- The gift "helped to break the ice," according to royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.
The official release of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry biography Finding Freedom is still about a week away, and yet royal fans have already enjoyed a veritable feast of inside Sussex knowledge courtesy of authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand. As Hello! reports, the upcoming biography sheds light on Meghan's very first meeting with Kate Middleton—and the sweet gift Meghan bought for her soon-to-be sister-in-law.
According to Scobie and Durand, Meghan and Kate first met on January 10, 2018—about four months before Meghan and Harry's royal wedding, and the day after Kate's 36th birthday. "Meghan bought a present for the duchess," Scobie and Durand write in Finding Freedom. "The soft leather Smythson notebook helped to break the ice, as did Meghan's cooing over then 20-month-old Charlotte."
While things got off to a good start, the relationship between Meghan and Kate never progressed beyond "distant politeness," according to a previously released excerpt from the biography. Kate was reportedly less than friendly to Meghan during March's Commonwealth Service, after Meghan and Harry announced they would step down as senior royals; what's more, the Sussexes were excluded from the event's official lineup.
"The decision had been made without their consultation, and they were informed long after the 2,000 orders of service had been printed for guests, with their names notably absent," Scobie and Durand write. As for the Duchesses Sussex and Cambridge: "Although Meghan tried to make eye contact with Kate, the duchess barely acknowledged her."
The event left Meghan "emotionally bruised and exhausted," according to a friend. "She couldn’t imagine wanting to set a foot back into anything royal again."
RELATED STORIES
Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.
-
The 17 Best Drugstore Bronzers for All Skin TonesVacation in a bottle (or pan).
-
Who is Angel Rice from Netflix's 'Cheer'?
Everything we know about the young phenom who went viral for her impressive tumbling.
-
Read These Empowering Self-Help Books for a Dose of Inspiration
Consider them a form of self-care.
-
Why Kate Middleton Didn't Let Prince George Wear an England Shirt at the Euros Final, According to a Royal Expert
It has to do with his future.
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Wished Kate Middleton a Happy 40th Birthday Over a "Private" Video Call, Expert Says
Smoothing things over.
-
Prince Harry Could Delay the Release of His Memoir After Prince Charles Extended an "Olive Branch" in 'Newsweek' Essay, Expert Says
A new era?
-
Prince Harry Reportedly Wants to Skip the Oscars to Avoid Kristen Stewart
He is apparently less than thrilled about 'Spencer.'
-
Prince William Was "Furious" About the Oprah Interview, Didn't Want to Attend the Princess Diana Statue Unveiling With Prince Harry
Kate Middleton stepped in.
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Relationship Isn't "Smooth-Sailing," But "They Are Certainly in Love," Astrologer and Body Language Expert Says
Sounds like "kiss and make up" is the couple's motto.
-
Kate Middleton's Birthday Portraits Represent Her "Unfurling Her Wings" to Become Queen, Body Language Expert Says
The Cambridges released three photos for the duchess' 40th.
-
Kate Middleton at 40: Royal Experts on the Evolution of the Future Queen
To mark the Duchess of Cambridge's 40th birthday, Marie Claire spoke to royal experts about her evolution from poised but shy fiancée to confident powerhouse.
