Relations between the Cambridges and the Sussexes have been tense since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to step down from their royal duties in January 2020—despite certain reports to the contrary. Now, royal biographer Andrew Morton, author of Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, has made new claims that Prince William and Kate Middleton's attitude played a big part in pushing the Sussexes away.
Morton recently published six additional chapters to his 2018 book, excerpts of which have appeared in the Mirror. The author claimed that it wasn't so much the royal institution as a whole that led to the Sussexes' royal exit. "Far from abandoning Meghan, the Palace had a team which spent ‘hundreds of hours monitoring social media accounts' and ‘violent threats were reported to the police,'" Morton wrote.
Instead, it was Prince Harry's brother and sister-in-law who reportedly precipitated the falling-out. "The Duchess of Cambridge’s coolness towards Meghan, and William’s alleged bullying contributed to a devastating ‘Cain and Abel’ fallout between the brothers," Morton continued. "Harry was the ‘prime mover’ in souring relations between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, but it was Meghan who ‘took the hit.'"
The phrase "alleged bullying" supposedly refers to a January 2020 story published in The Times, which claimed that Prince William had acted in a "bullying" manner towards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. A source told the paper that the couple had had enough of "constantly being told their place."
The two brothers strongly denied the allegations made by The Times' source at the time. They released a statement saying, "Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge. For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful" (via The Guardian).
Whether or not any of these claims are true, it certainly looks like the Cambridges and Sussexes had a complicated relationship even before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018. Markle herself talked about finding herself in less-than-cordial situations involving Middleton as part of her interview with Oprah earlier this year, saying that her sister-in-law-to-be had made her cry in the run-up to her wedding.
Though some recent reports pointed to signs of a reconciliation between the two branches of the family, many royal experts are still skeptical. Still, the Fab Four could make peace in time for Christmas—or at least for the Queen's Jubilee next year.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Related Stories
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Anne Hathaway Details the "Gross" Audition Request She Once Endured
"Now we know better."
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
The Emotional Ending of 'Baby Reindeer,' Explained
Netflix's latest miniseries from Richard Gadd is based on the true story of the comedian and his stalker.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The Must-Visit Hair Colorists in New York City
I trust these talented colorists implicitly.
By Sophia Vilensky Published
-
Will Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Appear in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Two New Netflix Series?
Filming for both shows—about polo and cookery—began this month.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Makes Moving Promise About Princess Kate at His First Public Appearance Since She Revealed She Has Cancer
He also revealed his youngest child Prince Louis’ favorite sport while at the engagement.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Has Changed His Official Residence to the U.S.
Don't make it mean more than it does, k?
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
As He Prepares to Return to Royal Duty Tomorrow After Nearly A Month Away, Prince William Is Struggling with “Immense” Pressure, Reports Say
“There’s a lot at stake, and he does need support.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Yes, That’s Meghan Markle’s Calligraphy on American Riviera Orchard’s Logo
Everything having to do with the lifestyle brand seems personal to the Duchess of Sussex.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Single-Handedly Planned His and Kate Middleton’s Romantic Honeymoon
Kate had no idea where they were headed on their two week luxurious break from reality until after their 2011 wedding.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Cookery Show Begins Filming Today—But Not Where You’d Expect It to Be Shot
The Sussexes are having a busy week this week, shooting both of their his-and-her Netflix shows and rolling out the first product offering for Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand American Riviera Orchard Reveals Its First Product Offering
Fifty samples were sent out in the company’s first limited edition run of the item.
By Rachel Burchfield Published