Meghan Markle Reportedly Refuses To ‘Grovel’ To Kate Middleton Amid UK Return, But Remains Open To Reconciliation
Meghan Markle is hoping to improve her strained relationship with her sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, as she and Prince Harry settle into their new lives in the United Kingdom.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently returned to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after spending six years at their Montecito home in California.
Now in the UK, Meghan Markle would reportedly like to be “on better terms” with Kate Middleton but doesn’t want to achieve that by groveling.
According to a new report, the Duchess of Sussex is interested in repairing the relationship but is insistent on not approaching it by giving in to the Princess.
A National Examiner source explained that Meghan doesn’t want a reconciliation that comes from her groveling.
“She would like it if they could be on better terms, but not if it means she has to beg. Meghan isn’t going to grovel to anybody, least of all Kate,” the source revealed, adding that the duchess feels like it’s on Kate to put in the work to earn her trust.
The source shared that Meghan is still suffering from “a lot of PTSD” because of alleged bullying she experienced the last time she lived close to the royal family.
“It’s no secret Meghan believes Kate was culpable when it came to some of the rumors about her too; if not directly, she certainly didn’t stick up for her,” the insider added.
The duchess has reportedly come to the UK with “very strong boundaries” to protect herself, so the traumatic experiences do not repeat themselves.
Meghan Markle And Kate Middleton’s Relationship Was Initially Great
5The relationship between the two sisters-in-law hasn’t always been contentious; they shared a fairly wholesome relationship when they first met at Kensington Palace.
Per Business Insider, Meghan won Kate’s favor when she gave her daughter Princess Charlotte of Wales lots of attention at their initial meeting.
She reportedly said the duchess was welcome to come to her if she ever needed anything, evidence of the kind of relationship she hoped they would share.
As Harry put it, “Kate and all the rest of the family, they […] were really welcoming.”
Reports of a feud started to emerge in 2018, months after Harry and Meghan’s famous wedding.
The Duchess And The Princess Reportedly Made Each Other Cry
5Meghan and Kate first had an intense encounter at a bridesmaid dress fitting for Princess Charlotte.
Kate reportedly was “left in tears” following the encounter, but Meghan later claimed that the reverse was the case, and Kate made her cry.
The second recorded incident suggesting tension in their relationship was their so-called “explosive row” after Meghan was impolite to one member of Kate’s staff.
Around this time, Kate allegedly felt like Meghan “used her to climb the royal ladder,” and Meghan felt snubbed, per Cosmopolitan.
Meghan and Harry would eventually step back from royal duties, leaving Kate with barely any time to rest, which didn’t help at all in bringing them back together.
Kate and Meghan, as well as Prince William and Harry, would appear together at the Commonwealth Day Service in 2020, where they reportedly arrived and left separately, without acknowledging each other.
Prince William And Kate Are Taking A ‘Careful Approach’ When It Comes To The Sussexes’ UK Return
5The Princess of Wales and her husband have not publicly addressed the Sussexes’ return to the UK. A source close to the couple told People Magazine that Kate and William are “taking a careful approach” and resisting a “knee-jerk reaction.”
“They are watching this space. It’s private — they don’t feel the need to say anything or demonstrate anything outwardly,” the source shared.
The insider added that reconciliation between the Sussexes and the Waleses would take a good amount of time owing to the “deep sense of betrayal” amongst the families.
Kate was announced in 2025 to be in remission following a cancer diagnosis. The princess underwent treatment in 2024 and has since begun recovering.
According to an insider, the couple has “suffered a lot,” and their priorities are their family, royal responsibilities, and Kate’s health.
Prince Harry And Meghan Have Started Their New Chapter In The UK
5Prince Harry and Meghan announced their UK return in August, and have now officially moved there for what appears to be an extended period.
According to reports, they are setting up their home in the Cotswolds, a celebrity hotspot where their friend Ellen DeGeneres and her wife currently live. Archie and Lilibet are also expected to go to school there.
The move brings them closer to the royal family, where they would have to address the existing tensions, but it also presents an opportunity to clear any bad blood.
As one source puts it, “There are bound to be moments where their worlds overlap, and everyone will be watching how those encounters unfold.”
