Kate Middleton's generous act of kindness to 'defuse' tension with Meghan Markle

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Privacy Notice Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s final act as senior members of the Royal Family was shrouded in scandal, with whispers of friction behind-the-scenes. The couple, once celebrated as the shining stars of the Commonwealth, held prestigious roles as president and vice-president of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, reinforcing their work with its 54 nations. However, after they expressed their desire to step away from their duties as senior royal figures, the late Queen Elizabeth II relieved them of these positions. Their last official engagement saw them attend the Commonwealth Day Service in 2020 the next annual service at Westminster Abbey won’t see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex amongst its attendees, now under the reign of King Charles.

The couple’s final appearance was at the Commonwealth Day service
(Image: Phil Harris/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

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This marked the first public encounter between Meghan and Harry and other members of the Royal Family since they announced their intention to step down. The Sussexes were reportedly “upset and emotional”, taken aback by the decision that denied them a place in the Queen’s procession at the start of the service, positioning them among the audience. To mitigate further clashes, the Prince and Princess of Wales (then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) made some last minute alterations. The Royal Family’s dynamics were on full display when the couple decided to join Meghan and Harry in opting out of the procession, choosing instead to take their seats directly and await the service’s commencement. This last-minute decision led to a discrepancy with the pre-printed order of services, reports the Mirror.

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Service in 2020
(Image: PA)

Despite the intended show of solidarity, the atmosphere was tinged with tension as both couples settled into their seats. The Sussexes were the first to arrive, taking their place in the second row, and notably did not rise to greet the Prince and Princess of Wales upon their entrance. The previous year saw Meghan and Kate exchange a warm double cheek kiss, but this time around, their interaction was limited to a brief exchange of words as they anticipated Charles’ arrival. Meghan, already seated, offered a “hello” and an awkward wave to acknowledge the other couple. Harry also exchanged greetings, but the conversation quickly ended as he turned his attention back to Meghan. In contrast, Prince Edward and Sophie engaged more warmly with the Sussexes, sharing a laugh together.

Harry and Meghan arriving at Westminster Abbey in 2020
(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)

In his explosive book, Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War between the Windsors, royal expert Tom Bower reveals that a “monumental argument” erupted after “Palace officials … decided to publicly humiliate [Harry and Meghan]”. He penned: “Reality hit two days later, on 9th March. A monumental argument blew up after Harry was told that he and Meghan could not join the family’s procession through Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day Service. “Although the order of service listed Harry and Meghan walking behind the Queen, Palace officials had revised their decision. Suspicious about the Sussexes, they decided to publicly humiliate them. Harry was told that having stepped down from royal duties, he and Meghan would sit and wait with the congregation. The prospect of the televised image of their isolation in the Abbey appalled them. “By then they were keenly aware of Kate and William’s antagonism. William had not offered a brotherly welcome and Kate was outright distant towards her sister-in-law.

The two couples barely spoke as they sat down at the 2020 Commonwealth Day service
(Image: Phil Harris Daily Mirror)

“Eventually, to end the dispute, William and Kate agreed they too would wait with Harry and Meghan. As the members of the Royal Family filed into the Abbey, the frayed relationships could not be concealed. Kate had blanked the Sussexes and William’s greeting was cold. Harry looked strained. Meghan’s face showed bemusement.” In their Netflix series, Harry confessed that he was filled with anxiety when he reunited with his Royal Family members. “The first time that we saw the other members of the family was in Westminster Abbey,” Harry shared, “We were nervous seeing the family because all the TV cameras and everybody watching at home and everybody watching in the audience. “It’s like living through a soap opera where everybody else views you as entertainment. I felt really distant from the rest of my family, which was interesting because so much of how they operate is about what it looks like, rather than what it feels like. And it looked cold. But it also felt cold.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnKate MiddletonMeghan MarklePrince HarryPrince WilliamRoyal FamilyHarry and MeghanWilliam and KateCommonwealthWestminster Abbey

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