Kate and Meghan’s relationship has been a source of speculation for years, especially when reports emerged claiming they had fallen out over the bridesmaids’ dresses at the Sussexes’ wedding. They appeared to be amicable when in public together, up until Meghan and Prince Harry announced their plans to “step back” from the Firm in January last year. The two women did not seem to make eye contact during their last joint appearance caught on camera, at the Commonwealth Day service two months later.
This tension reportedly worsened after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told US presenter Oprah Winfrey of their misery behind Palace walls in a CBS Special a few months ago.
They criticised how the Firm had handled the alleged feud between Meghan and Kate over the bridesmaids’ dresses, while taking aim at the Palace’s handling of race and mental health.
Yet, hopes have been raised that they may yet reconcile following the birth of Meghan and Harry’s first daughter, Lilibet Diana, last month.
Indeed, a source said: “Tensions have eased between Meghan and Kate.
“Kate even sent Meghan a gift for the baby.
“They’re in a better place and have exchanged texts since the birth of Lilibet.”
They continued: “The bridesmaids incident took place so long ago and it feels pointless to hold onto the anger.
“It’s wasted energy. They’ve called a truce.”
Speaking to American outlet Us Weekly, another said the two women have “bonded over both having daughters and can’t wait for all the cousins to meet”.
Tensions were palpable between the Cambridges and Sussexes last March for the Commonwealth Day service
This is a sharp contrast to the tensions between the women which were making headlines just a few months ago.
Back in March, a source told Us Weekly: “There is real animosity that the brothers have towards one another, and that has spilled over into Meghan and Kate’s relationship, making it very hard for them to be friends or even friendly.”
However, some believe the feud is far from over, after Kate’s telling comments at a press conference at the G7 Summit a few weeks ago.
When asked about Lilibet’s arrival in June, the Duchess of Cambridge said: “I wish her all the very best.
“I can’t wait to meet her because I haven’t yet met her.
“So hopefully that will be soon.”
When asked if she had seen her niece over video chat, Kate said: “No, I haven’t.”
This raised eyebrows within some circles, as it had been a week since Lilibet’s birth.
But royal commentator Roberta Fiorito dispelled any idea that this may have been an indication that the feud is ongoing.
Speaking on the Royally Obsessed podcast, she said: “Just because they haven’t FaceTimed doesn’t mean they haven’t chatted over the phone.
“It’s wild when a new baby arrives and I feel like there’s a lot of chaos.
“They do have the added dynamic of their relationship and figuring out whatever the nuances there are.
“Timing-wise, the baby’s asleep, the baby’s awake, who knows?
“I’m giving Kate the benefit of the doubt that it’s very much an intention of theirs to catch up soon.
But it did add a little bit of fuel to headlines that things are potentially still rocky.”
Kate has also not seen her nephew Archie Harrison since November 2019, when he was last in the UK.
But, to mark Lilibet’s birth, Kate and her husband Prince William did share a photograph of the Sussexes taken by photographer Misan Harriman when Meghan was heavily pregnant.
They captioned the image: “We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili.
“Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie.”
Harry and William also triggered reunion claims when they made a joint appearance to unveil the Princess Diana memorial statue in Kensington Palace at the start of July, and seemed amicable in each other’s company.
Meghan did not join her husband for the trip back to the UK because she had just given birth.
