DOUBLE DATES ON THE REGULAR!
While Kate and Meghan enjoy their alone time, their men sometimes tag along, like when they all hit a Dec. 20 holiday party at Buckingham Palace (and arrived in separate cars, above).
to some staff members she hadn’t met before and made sure she put in a good word for her.”
At events, they must be on their best behavior. But during their girls-only nights on the town, they can sneak away from the palace for hours to really talk freely. At Soho House (where celeb members stateside include Jennifer Aniston, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez and Kanye West), “Kate and Meghan fit in with the crowd and can enjoy dinner without being disturbed by fans or the paparazzi,” says the insider. “Kate loves the Norfolk turkey dish, whereas Meghan normally goes for the halloumi cheese, spinach and pomegranate salad.” The main course, however, is palace gossip. On one recent night, an insider close to Meghan says, the Suits star got a little tipsy on champagne as they dished about Harry, William and even their exboyfriends! As the night wore on, talk turned to how wild the bachelorette party before Meghan and Harry’s May 19 nuptials should be. “Knowing the queen would never approve of a drunken bash, Meghan felt it should be a civilized affair,” the insider says. “But she’s torn because she also wants it to be a fun and memorable event. Kate suggested she have it at Soho House because the queen won’t find out what happens behind closed doors.”
Meghan’s very concerned about making a good impression with the royals. And while she says the House of Windsor has been welcoming, Kate told Meghan there may be a wolf in sheep’s clothing in the palace. “Kate has warned Meghan to watch out for Camilla, who is known to stir up trouble,” the second insider says of Prince Charles’ wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla, 70, is livid that the queen has instructed Charles, 69, her rightful heir, to step aside and let William and Kate reign after her death. “Camilla has already met Meghan and given her official seal of approval,” says the insider, “but Kate’s told her to keep her distance.”
NEW BESTIE RITUALS
Meghan and Kate don’t only bond when they’re out — they’re also neighbors at Kensington Palace. While Kate lives with her family ( including Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 2) in Apartment 1A, Meghan recently moved in with Harry to the estate’s cozy Nottingham Cottage. “Meghan pops over to Kate’s apartment to catch up over tea,” the insider tells Life & Style. “They’ll spend hours discussing Meghan’s upcoming wedding, which Kate is helping her plan.” Adds the source, “Harry often refers to Kate as the ‘royal party planner’ because of her expertise and connections. She has impeccable attention to detail.”
Kate has taken on the role even as she’s set to welcome twin girls in April, a month before the wedding. “Meghan’s been asking Kate all about her pregnancy and has confessed that she can’t wait to become a mom herself,” reveals the
second insider. “She adores George and Charlotte and showers them with gifts and toys.”
ROYAL REVELRY
She and Harry will be adding to their brood soon enough. “One step at a time,” the prince says, explaining that first they’re focusing on their wedding at Windsor Castle. “We’ll start a family in the near future.”
But the truth is, they’ve already started a new family — with Kate taking on the role of sister to Meghan. “Harry and William are thrilled that the women get on so well,” says the insider. “William used to joke that Harry would never settle down, but Harry’s finally proved him wrong. William couldn’t be happier that his brother has finally found the love of his life.”