Prince Harry has claimed that a minor awkward moment between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton was exaggerated and used to fuel reports of tension between the two women.
In his memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex discussed several disagreements that reportedly developed before his wedding to Meghan in May 2018. These included an argument over the bridesmaids’ dresses and changes to how the two royal couples worked with palace communications staff.
Harry also recalled an uncomfortable exchange involving a tube of lip gloss.
According to the duke, the incident happened backstage when Meghan realised she had forgotten her lip gloss and asked Kate if she could borrow hers.
Harry described the request as something Meghan considered normal, suggesting it reflected a difference between American and British social habits. He wrote that Kate appeared surprised by the request but took a tube from her handbag and handed it to Meghan, who placed some on her finger before applying it.
Harry claimed Kate then appeared uncomfortable.
He described the exchange as a small “clash of styles” that should have been easy for the women to laugh about later. However, he said the incident left a mark on their relationship and was eventually turned into a much larger story by the media.
The relationship between the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales had initially appeared warm. Harry, Meghan, William and Kate were frequently described as the “Fab Four” when they attended royal engagements together.
After Harry and Meghan announced their engagement in November 2017, William and Kate publicly expressed their happiness for the couple.
In a joint statement, they said they were excited by the news and that it had been wonderful to get to know Meghan and see how happy she made Harry.
Kate later told reporters that she and William were “absolutely thrilled,” describing the engagement as an exciting and happy time for the couple.
She also welcomed the news of Meghan’s pregnancy in 2018, saying it would be special for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to have another cousin.
However, the relationship between the two couples reportedly became increasingly strained. Harry and Meghan later stepped back from their duties as senior working royals and moved to the United States, while William and Kate remained in the UK.
Harry has since spoken publicly about his disagreements with the Royal Family through interviews, a Netflix documentary series and his memoir.
Despite the ongoing tensions, the duke has repeatedly said that he would like to repair his relationship with his family.
