Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess Meghan’s relationship not ‘straightforward’, royal expert claims

Duchess Catherine and Duchess Meghan are reportedly 'very different'

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess Meghan of Sussex arrive to attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King's Lynn, England
(Image credit: Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess Meghan once made up the so-called ‘Fab Four’ with Prince William and Prince Harry, but now a royal expert has claimed the sisters-in-law’s relationship was not “straightforward”. 

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William were once half of the popular “Fab Four”, alongside Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan. The "Fab Four" haven’t been seen together in public since the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. 

This was Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s last public royal engagement before they stepped down as senior members of the Royal Family. Already this year there have been reports that the "Fab Four" might be reunited once more for the unveiling of a memorial statue to Prince William and Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana. 

Though this has not been confirmed and current travel restrictions could mean this is sadly not possible. 

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Whilst the relationship between the brothers has often been in the spotlight, the relationship between sisters-in-law Duchess Catherine and Duchess Meghan is also understood to have been scrutinized.

What was the relationship between Duchess Catherine and Duchess Meghan?

As reported by Daily Star, in the Channel 5 documentary, When the Middletons Met The Monarchy, royal commentators have claimed that scrutiny of the relationship made life challenging for both royal women.

Speaking about the difficulties the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Sussex faced for the documentary, royal expert Claudia Joseph, author of Kate Middleton: Princess in Waiting, said: "When Meghan joined the Royal Family, everyone assumed that she and Kate would become best buddies because they were both outsiders.”

"But of course they are naturally very different women," she continued. 

Fellow royal expert Richard Kay then reportedly explained: "Kate in many ways was sort of collateral damage in all this".

He claimed: "She and Meghan didn't particularly get along. The relationship was not as straightforward as the wider world thought."

Duchess Catherine and Duchess Meghan have been pictured together at various royal engagements and occasions over the years, including Wimbledon, over Christmas, or at Trooping the Colour.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in the Royal Box on Centre Court at Wimbledon

(Image credit: Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

With Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan now settled in America with their son Archie, the Cambridges and the Sussexes have sadly not seen as much of each other in recent times. 

Over Christmas, however, reports suggested that they sent heartfelt gifts to their nephews and niece across the pond and it was claimed that Meghan was involved in a particularly lovely way.

We’ll have to wait and see if the Cambridges and Sussexes will be able to reunite later this year.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!