Kate Middleton ‘didn’t meet Archie for a week’ reveals insider
Kate and Sophie tried to “reach out” to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, multiple times, in particular after she voiced her anguish during her last tour as senior royal in October 2019, according to an insider. However, the two royals reportedly had no success in their attempts.
Royal commentator Rebecca English claimed: “I have been told that Kate — and the Countess of Wessex — both repeatedly ‘reached out’ to the Duchess, particularly after she voiced her unhappiness on a television documentary. But they were rebuffed.”
The expert reported this claim after saying the Duke of Cambridge has been “deeply hurt” by claims made by sources close to Meghan and Harry.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Ms English said: “It is William, however, who has felt Harry’s decision to leave the family most keenly.
“He has forfeited not just a beloved brother, but someone he expected would stand shoulder to shoulder with him and share the burden of responsibility when he becomes king.
Meghan Markle and Kate on Christmas Day 2018 (Image: GETTY)
Sophie and Kate reportedly reached out to Meghan after her interview with Tom Bradby in October 2019 (Image: GETTY)
“William was also deeply hurt by suggestions from the Sussex camp that he, and particularly his wife, had cold-shouldered Meghan.”
Express.co.uk has contacted Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and a representative of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment.
The Duchess of Sussex revealed she was struggling in October 2019, during the last stretch of her successful royal tour to South Africa with Prince Harry and their son Archie Harrison.
Speaking to ITV broadcaster Tom Bradby for the documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, the Duchess opened up on being scrutinised as a public figure while also being a new mother.
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Meghan Markle with Sophie Wessex at Royal Ascot 2019 (Image: GETTY)
Asked by Mr Bradby how she was, Meghan said: “Any woman, especially when they’re pregnant, you’re really vulnerable, and so that was made really challenging.
“And then when you have a newborn, you know. And especially as a woman…it’s a lot.
“So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed. It’s um…yeah.
“I guess, also thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I’m okay, but it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.”
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Meghan Markle and Kate attending a Wimbledon match together (Image: GETTY)
The Sussexes and the Cambridges attending the Trooping the Colour parade in 2019 (Image: GETTY)
Mr Bradby probed further, asking whether it was fair to say she was “not really ok”, to which Meghan simply replied “yes”.
Meghan mentioned her chat with Mr Bradby twice in 2020.
The Duchess first recalled speaking about her wellbeing as she appeared alongside Harry in an episode of the Teenager Therapy podcast.
Explaining at the time she was exhausted by the packed schedule of the tour combined with the needs of her young son, Meghan said: “I didn’t think about that answer. I just answered honestly.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry married in May 2018 (Image: GETTY)
“I was in a moment of vulnerability, because I was tired, because there was no presentation.
“It was just, here’s where I am: I’m a mom with a four-and-a-half month-old baby and we are tired.
“But I think the reason it resonated with people is because everyone wants to be asked if they’re okay.”
Meghan also mentioned this interview in her essay published by the New York Times, in which she opened up on her miscarriage.
During the same ITV documentary, Prince Harry also spoke to the journalist, opening up on rumours of a rift between him and his brother Prince William as well as the impact the death of Princess Diana continues to have on him.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are no longer senior royals (Image: GETTY)
After describing the untimely death of the Princess of Wales as a “wound that festers”, Harry added: “Everything I do reminds me of her, but as I said with the royal job and the pressures that come with that, I get reminded of the bad stuff unfortunately.”
Speaking about his relationship with the Duke of Cambridge, Harry also acknowledged they are now “on a different path” but will always be there for one another.
This was reportedly proved right by Prince William who, according to royal expert Katie Nicholl, was quick to reach out to his brother and sister-in-law after their interviews aired.
The author wrote in the Sunday Times in May last year: “It was then when the family reached out and said, ‘OK, how can we help?’
“William was the first to get on the phone.”
