Royals keen to cool talk of Kate and Meghan rift
PRINCE William and wife Kate Middleton will spend Christmas with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the rest of the British royal family, in what will inevitably be seen as a display of solidarity.
Contrary to reports that the two couples are going their separate ways this year, the Mail can reveal that both will be with the Queen at Sandringham House in Norfolk for the royal family’s traditional festive celebrations.
Although the plans were made some time ago, their appearance on Christmas Day will no doubt be heavily scrutinised after more than a week of headlines about the strains on their relationship. While it is no secret that Kate and Meghan do not enjoy a close friendship, some reports have claimed that the pair have had a significant falling out, which has affected their husbands’ close relationship.
The speculation was prompted by last month’s announcement that Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, are to leave Kensington Palace, where they currently live in cosy Nottingham Cottage, to Windsor, where they will live in Frogmore Cottage on Queen Elizabeth’s estate.
Aides hope the cottage will be ready in time for the birth of their first baby in the spring. Many had expected them to move into Apartment 1 – currently the home of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and his wife Birgitte – which is next to the 22-room home of William, Kate and their young family.
Yesterday it was claimed that, in a sign of the iciness between the two couples, William and Kate, both 36, had opted to spend Christmas with the Middleton family in Bucklebury, Berkshire. Harry and Meghan would be at Sandringham, possibly with Meghan’s mother, Doria. But a source told the Mail: ‘Reports regarding Christmas are wrong. Everyone is in Norfolk this year.’
Well-placed royal sources have already told the Mail there has been no major falling out between the two couples but confirmed the two duchesses do not get on particularly well and that there have been some tensions behind the scenes.
However, they insist the two brothers are close and that it would be wrong to attribute Harry and Meghan’s decision to move out to any issue between the women. Last year Harry and his then fiancée stayed with his brother and sister-in-law at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.
The news comes amid further reports that Harry and Meghan have not endeared themselves to royal household staff with their somewhat dictatorial behaviour.
Yesterday the Sunday Mirror reported that Meghan’s personal assistant Melissa Toubati resigned after just six months. A source familiar with the 39-year-old Frenchwoman’s time working for the former actress told the paper: ‘Her job was highly pressurised and in the end it became too much.
‘She put up with quite a lot. Meghan put a lot of demands on her and it ended up with her in tears.
‘Melissa is a total professional and fantastic at her job, but things came to a head and it was easier for them to go their separate ways.’
Affected husbands’ close relationship