Kate Middleton "Didn't Have Much Energy to Bond" With Meghan Markle Ahead of Her Wedding
Middleton was pregnant with Prince Louis at the time.


So we all know Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle aren't the best of friends (opens in new tab) by now, but according to a royal biographer, Middleton had kind of a legit reason for not being super present for Markle ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry (opens in new tab): She had her pregnancy with Prince Louis (opens in new tab) to worry about.
Explaining why the two duchesses (opens in new tab) weren't really set up to be close to each other, Andrew Morton, author of Meghan: A Hollywood Princess (opens in new tab), wrote, "Kate and Meghan were neither sisters nor, unlike Fergie and Diana, friends before they joined the Royal Family" (via The Sun (opens in new tab)).
"What is more, during the build-up to Meghan’s wedding, Kate was experiencing her third difficult pregnancy and was focused on her own welfare," Morton added. "She did not have much energy to bond with her new neighbour."
While we don't know how cordial the few interactions the women did have were, it only makes sense for Middleton to pay close attention to her own health during that time. She suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum (opens in new tab)—defined as (opens in new tab) a pregnancy complication "that affects various areas of the woman’s health, including homeostasis, electrolytes, and kidney function, and may have adverse fetal consequences"—during all three of her pregnancies. Louis was born just weeks before the Sussexes' wedding (opens in new tab) in May 2018.
"When they sat together in the royal box to watch the Ladies’ Singles Final at Wimbledon in July 2018, the two women were still getting to know one another," Morton said.
And here's another pretty ironclad reason why the now-sisters-in-law didn't really get to hang out during that time. "It was a practical matter as much as anything," the author continued. "Kate spent weekends and holidays at Anmer Hall, the Cambridges’ country home in Norfolk, while Meghan and Harry were approximately three hours’ drive away, living in a large, remote, rented property on the Great Tew estate in Oxfordshire."
Morton previously empathized with Markle (opens in new tab), saying that she must have felt "frustrated" by royal life. He also claimed (opens in new tab) that Prince William's "alleged bullying" pushed Markle and her husband to leave the UK.
This article has been updated.
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.
-
Sex Toys For Partner Play
If you thought toys were just for me-time, think again.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The Cast of 'Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area': Your Guide
Meet Netflix's new cast of thieves.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Lawmakers, Activists, and Allies Are Reacting With Fury to 'Roe' Being Overturned
Thousands are taking to Twitter to express their grief and anger.
By Tanya Benedicto Klich
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
By Katherine J Igoe
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
By Bianca Rodriguez
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
By The Editors
-
Surprise! Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas Are Parents
They welcomed a baby via surrogate.
By Neha Prakash
-
Meghan and Harry Share First Photo of Their Daughter Lilibet Diana
The Sussex's holiday card is here!
By Rachel Epstein
-
The 50 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes Ever
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton
-
Alicia Keys Gets What She Wants
With her jazzy new album, Keys, the singer stopped worrying about everything except what matters: Her own opinion.
By Jessica Herndon
-
Brooke Shields on Reinventing Yourself, Making Friends in Your 40s, and More
The actress and CEO shared inspiring advice during a panel at 'Marie Claire's' "Power Trip: Off the Grid" conference.
By Rachel Epstein