“Kate has made a huge effort with Meghan”

Insider Katie Nicholl tells Closer how Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have become close and why the royals won’t try to silence her family after more public outbursts

Meghan Markle M faced fresh controversy last week when her father Thomas claimed she was secretly “terrified” in her new royal role.

Thomas – who missed Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry in May after suffering a reported heart attack – said, “My thing about my daughter right now is that I think she is terrified. I see it in her eyes, I see it in her face and I see it in her smile... It really worries me. There’s a high price to pay to be married to that family.”

Sharon Osbourne was quick to blast him, saying, “It’s so obvious Her dad Thomas has you have a been unwell bad drinking problem... Just be happy for your daughter. Let her live her life. She is so dignified, you should try to give a little bit of that dignity for her.”

Reports also claimed that Meghan’s father had made up his heart attack to avoid further embarrassment following his admission he’d staged paparazzi pictures.

But after Meghan, 36, was seen looking happy at Wimbledon with Kate Middleton, 36, royal expert and author of Harry: Life, Loss and Love, Katie Nicholl, says her friendship with her sister-inlaw has proved invaluable.

GUIDANCE

Katie says, “Kate and Meghan are very different, but their friendship has slowly grown since she started dating Harry. Kate’s gone out of her way to make Meghan feel welcome. She has her own life and three young children, but Kate still makes the time to see Meghan once a week. Kate understands what it’s like to marry into the royal family as a commoner, but also how to make a success of it. She’s offered a lot of guidance and support. Harry was keen for the pair to get along and Kate wanted to make a big effort.”

SYMPATHY

The royal expert says Kate – who proudly posed with her family, including Meghan, following son Louis’ christening earlier this month – is likely to be sympathetic towards Meghan’s family drama after her uncle, Gary Goldsmith, was exposed for cutting up lines of cocaine in 2009. In 2017, he was fined for punching his wife.

Katie adds, “Kate will understand, as she’s seen her own family dragged through the tabloids. She’ll probably be very sympathetic to the situation.”

Last week also saw Meghan’s sister, Samantha, launch yet another tirade on social media, insisting, “If our father dies, I’m holding you responsible.”

Samantha – who’s reportedly due to release a book – also fuelled rumours she’s set to appear on CBB after signing to a UK talent agent. But Katie insists the royal family will continue to keep a dignified silence.

She says, “This situation with her father and sister is obviously hurtful for Meghan. Harry has been a huge support and is very understanding. The royal family think the best way to handle this is to stay silent and not dignify it with a response.”