Meghan Markle’s ‘taken aback’ moment ‘sparked rift’ with Kate Middleton and Prince William

Meghan Markle was reportedly “taken aback” when she first visited Kate Middleton and Prince William at their home, and it could have been the start of the tension between the two couples

Upon initially dating Meghan Markle, Prince Harry had high hopes they could form a new ‘Fab Four’ with the now Prince and Princess of Wales.

However, following their marriage in May 2018, tensions quickly appeared and have since led to a significant rift between the couples. In his revealing memoir Spare, Harry spoke about noticing differences between himself and Meghan compared to his brother Prince William, and sister-in-law not long after he introduced Meghan to them.

A new book suggests a possible catalyst for this tension – their living arrangements. The new book, Catherine, The Princess of Wales: The Biography, being serialized in the Mail On Sunday, states Meghan was “taken aback at the disparity between the brothers”.

Meghan moved in with Harry at the snug Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace while William and Kate resided in an apartment within the Palace itself. According to author Robert Jobson: “Meghan had moved into cozy Nottingham Cottage on the Kensington Palace estate with Harry. When they went to have drinks at William and Catherine’s palatial apartment, she was apparently ‘taken aback’ at the disparity between the brothers.”

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“‘I am not saying Meghan was jealous, but she was surprised how lavishly Harry’s brother was living compared to where they were living,’ a close source claimed. ‘It was perhaps the beginning of all the tensions between the couples.’ Meghan did understand that William was next in line, but she felt that Harry, as a Royal prince, deserved more than he had.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex held nothing back when discussing their Royal quarters in their 2022 Netflix documentary. In the eye-opening fourth episode, Meghan referred to their home as “small”.

“It sounds very regal but Nottingham Cottage was so small,” confessed the former screen actress Meghan; it led to Harry’s statement that it was “lean” with “low ceilings.”

Harry clarified: “As far as people were concerned we were living in a palace. [But] we were living in a cottage. On palace grounds. Kensington Palace does sound very regal of course, it does say palace in the name. But Nottingham Cottage was small.”

Harry also referenced their former residence in his memoir, Spare. He expressed concern over whether the property would live up to expectations, saying: “I was excited to welcome Meg to my home, but also embarrassed. Nott Cott was no palace. Nott Cott was palace adjacent – that was the best you could say for it.”

Shortly after tying the knot, they left Nottingham Cottage and relocated to Windsor, taking up residence in Frogmore Cottage, a generous gift from the late Queen. They now reside in a sprawling nine-bedroom mansion in Montecito, California.