Meghan had ‘unrealistic expectation’ of relationship with sister-in-law Kate, claims royal expert

A royal expert has claimed Meghan Markle had an “unrealistic expectation” of her relationship with her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge.

Although they lived just a few doors apart at Kensington Palace, they could not have been more different in terms of personality, according to royal watchers.

A new documentary suggests there was added tension because Meghan expected too much from her very busy sister-in-law, mum-of-three Kate.

Speaking on Channel 5 documentary Meghan & Harry : The New Revelations, Emily Andrews, the Mail’s royal editor, explains: “I think it seems Meghan had a very unrealistic expectation of her relationship with Kate.

“If you look at it from the Cambridges’ point of view, they don’t know this woman at all. From their point of view they absolutely did welcome her into the family.

“William and Kate invited Meghan and Harry to Apartment 1A. Kate met Meghan pretty early on in the relationship.

“I think from William and Kate’s point they did try and help as much as possible, but they were at a very different stage of life.”

A close friendship did not develop as neighbours either.

Kensington Palace grounds were home for both royal couples for a time.

Meghan and Harry lived in a two bedroomed Nottingham Cottage while William and Kate lived in the close by Apartment 1A – a sprawling 21 room abode – with their children.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to move out in October 2018 and lived at Frogmore Cottage, near Windsor Castle.

In March last year Meghan stopped sharing staff with her sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

Then in June the Duke and Duchess of Sussex completely broke away from the Royal Foundation that Harry and William founded together in 2009 – and was something the Royal Family hoped the siblings would continue with their wives – as the ‘Fab Four’.

It was reported the charity split was not personal, and the new charities endeavours reflected the couples’ differing interests.

William and Kate’s charity work focused on mental health and early childhood education, while Meghan and Harry had committed themselves to causes related to the environment and issues across the entire British Commonwealth. 

On January 8 this year, Harry and Meghan shared a lengthy statement signalling their move from the UK to North America and end of full time senior royal duties.

Vanity Fair’s royal expert Katie Nicholl also claims that Meghan felt personally slighted that Kate did not spend more time on their relationship in the early days.

Nicholl said: “While there might have been an expectation from Meghan that Kate was going to sit down and show her the ropes, perhaps that was an unrealistic expectation.

“The Duchess of Cambridge is a busy woman, but Meghan clearly took that personally.”