The relationship between Princess Kate and Meghan Markle has consistently captured public interest, particularly due to the reported rift that began even before Meghan married Prince Harry. Despite their differences, the two came together at Wimbledon in 2019, where they were photographed enjoying a match in the Royal Box, radiating happiness and camaraderie, which sparked a media frenzy.
Princess Kate has served as a patron of the All England Tennis Club since 2016, regularly attending Wimbledon and presenting trophies to the winners. Meghan, on the other hand, has been a frequent visitor to SW19 to support her close friend Serena Williams, even prior to her marriage.
However, during a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan revealed that the smiles shared between her and Kate at Wimbledon masked deeper tensions, shedding light on the complexities of their relationship amidst the public facade. This revelation added another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding the two royal figures.
When asked by Oprah: “Were people welcoming to you? It seemed like you and Kate… at Wimbledon you went to watch a friend play… Is that what happened? You were sisters-in-law, you were in public together, getting to know each other. Did she help you, welcome you into the family, help you adjust?” , Meghan replied: “I think people were welcoming to me. When you ask, ‘Is that what happened?’, my understanding and experience over the last four years is that it’s not what people see . ”
The Duchess of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 also shared a conversation with a member of the Royal Family, who thought she was too visible in the media. “One day, a family member came to me and said, ‘Why don’t you just shut up for a while, you’re everywhere.’ And I said, ‘I’ve only been out of the house twice in four months, I’m everywhere but nowhere,'” Meghan recalled .
Just months after the Wimbledon photos were taken, Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping back from their roles as senior members of the Royal Family in January 2020.