
- Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab), 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."
A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
While things got off to a good start, the relationship between Meghan and Kate (opens in new tab) never progressed beyond "distant politeness," according to a previously released excerpt from the biography. (opens in new tab) 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 Best Rain Boots, According to Fashion Editors
Stay dry *and* look cute!
By Julia Marzovilla
-
Mexico City, A Vibrant Cultural Hot Spot, Is the Perfect Travel Destination
This epicenter of art, history, and food should be on every culture enthusiast's bucket list.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Can Light Therapy Get Rid of My Acne?
Blue and red light are where it’s at.
By Samantha Holender
-
Royals Probably "Laughed" About Kim Kardashian Buying Princess Diana's Necklace, Expert Claims
It's probably not a big deal to them.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Likely "Shocked" by the "Negative Pushback" Over 'Spare,' Royal Expert Says
They thought it would be more like the aftermath of Oprah.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Diana Didn't Want to Move Away From England, Her Former Butler Claims
Obviously, we can't ever really know the truth.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
King Charles Will Not Hold "Peace Talks" With Harry and Meghan Before the Coronation, Royal Expert Claims
Oh.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Diana's Butler Responds to Prince Harry Referring to Him as "The Butler" in 'Spare'
Paul Burrell says he's confused and hurt.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Eugenie's New Baby Will Allow the Royal Family to "Put Behind Them a Year of Sorrow and Conflict," Astrologer Says
All good things!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry "Should Have Been Prince William's Wingman," Has Become His "Hitman" Instead, Royal Expert Says
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
There's No Chance of Reconciliation Between Prince Harry and His Family "In the Short Term," Royal Expert Claims
Urgh.
By Iris Goldsztajn