Meghan Markle’s affectionate and tactile nature reportedly caused discomfort among members of the royal family,
particularly Prince William, during her time in the UK.
According to a recent report by British journalist Tom Quinn for *The Times*, palace insiders
revealed
that the Duchess of Sussex’s constant hugging and warm demeanor made Prince William “uncomfortable,” fueling tensions between the Sussexes and the Cambridges.
This report sheds light on the complexities of Meghan’s relationship with the royal family, particularly in the early days following her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.
A junior staffer recalled that, during the initial months of the Sussexes’ marriage, Meghan, Harry, William, and Kate Middleton—once affectionately known as the “Fab Four”—got along well.
The staffer described instances of Meghan and William even dancing playfully together, including doing the jive. This was a time when the two couples appeared to share a bond of friendship and camaraderie.
However, tensions soon began to develop, particularly due to Meghan’s “hug-everyone” approach, which was not well received by everyone in the royal fold. Meghan’s constant physical affection, which included hugging and cheek-kissing, allegedly made Prince William and even King Charles III feel uneasy. According to the report, this behavior caused William to “flinch” on occasion, leading to whispers among the royal staff that Meghan was flirting with William. Despite these rumors, it was made clear that Meghan was “obviously not” flirting with her brother-in-law, and instead was simply following a cultural norm she was accustomed to.
Meghan, who hails from California, reportedly felt rejected by the royal family’s reluctance to embrace her tactile style of interaction. The report states that she was “understandably hurt” by the cold reception to her gestures of affection, especially since, in her experience, it was common to hug people in her home state. This cultural difference likely played a role in how her behavior was perceived by members of the royal family who, historically, have adhered to a more formal approach to interactions.
The royal family’s response to Meghan’s behavior didn’t go unnoticed. Quinn’s report suggests that Meghan once asked a staffer, “Why do William and Charles sound so serious all the time?” She also allegedly joked that Harry was different from William because, in her view, he was “chill” and “wasn’t pompous at all.” These comments reportedly added fuel to the growing discord between the Sussexes and the Cambridges, a rift that has only deepened over time.
This tension between Meghan and the royal family is widely recognized as one of the key factors that contributed to the ongoing estrangement between Prince Harry and his older brother, Prince William. Their relationship began to fracture before the Sussexes officially stepped back from royal duties in 2020, and it only worsened after the release of Harry’s memoir, *Spare*. In the book, Harry revealed personal details about the royal family, including an incident where Kate allegedly made Meghan cry over a disagreement about bridesmaid dresses and a physical altercation between Harry and William.
Quinn’s report also highlighted that Meghan’s behavior, particularly her physical affection and relaxed demeanor, further widened the rift between the two royal brothers. The cultural divide between Meghan’s Californian upbringing and the more reserved nature of the British royal family seemed to create a point of friction that many insiders believe played a role in the broader tensions.
Despite these challenges, Meghan’s warm and affectionate behavior may have been rooted in a desire to connect with others, something she likely felt was essential in her new life within the royal family. However, the cultural clash between her Californian sensibilities and the royal family’s traditions added layers of complexity to her relationships with its members.
As the Sussexes continue to carve out their path in the United States, the dynamics within the royal family remain complicated. While Meghan and Harry have openly discussed their difficulties with royal life and their decision to step away from their duties, the impact of these early tensions continues to echo through their relationships with the royal family, particularly with William and Kate. The cultural differences, personal behaviors, and lingering misunderstandings have undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping the course of their interactions over the years.
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