Explained: Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's infamous argument over the flower girls' dresses

If you have been keeping up with the Royal Family and, even it you haven't, it is well known that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have often clashed with other members of the Firm. Because of the sheer volume of what is being written about the Sussexes, the so called controversies and dramas are keeping royal fans entertained and royal experts on their toes.

Even though, now in 2024, it is widely accepted that Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have never gotten along, one question remains: why?

Indeed, the two women weren't raised in royal circles and the hope was that this non royal background would mean to the two would have each other's backs. Unfortunately, this hasn't been the case.

Meghan Markle supposedly jealous of Kate Middleton

The idea that Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have never really liked each other has been ever lasting. The source of it is quite difficult to pinpoint but, in 2024, royal author Ingrid Seward alleged the Duchess of Sussex is jealous of the Princess of Wales.

Talking to The Telegraph while promoting her newest book My Mother and I, she said:

I think that Meghan must have been incredibly envious and then jealous of Kate.

I heard Meghan actually thought she was going to be a princess and live in Windsor Castle. Instead, there’s William and Kate with this beautiful house, while they are stuck in Nottingham Cottage which Harry used to call ‘my hovel’.

Not only that, Seward also alleged that Prince Harry had a soft spot for Kate Middleton. In her own words, Seward says 'Maybe Harry was a little in love with Kate.' However, quite quickly, the author specifies that she's not talking about romantic love but about how Prince Harry could have felt 'mentally' about his sister-in-law.

However, though Ingrid Seward is a 'seasoned' royal expert and author, her words are based on hearsay on this topic. She admits to it herself in the quote we have used from The Telegraph.

Both Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have never spoken about jealousy. The only incident and disagreement that has been formally addressed is the one that occurred around the time of the Sussexes' wedding.

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's wedding fight

It has been reported that, just days before her wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle had a row with Kate Middleton.

Indeed, in May 2018, Meghan Markle said 'I do' to Prince Harry, in front of a gorgeous guest list as well as millions of viewers worldwide. At this wedding, all eyes were on the former actress. If you remember, drama surrounded the event and, unfortunately for the woman who would become the Duchess of Sussex, it concerned her own father and family. Among that stress, it is understood that the woman wanted her wedding to follow her desires while mixing some royal protocol to the letter.

It is that mix that allowed the event to resonate with many. It was a real show of cultures coming together.

According to reports, the fact that the wedding wasn't the most tradition was the reason behind a major row between the bride-to-be and her sister-in-law Kate Middleton, to the point of bringing the latter to tears.

However, in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle claimed that the opposite was true. Kate Middleton would have made her cry. She said:

No, the reverse happened.

A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something pertaining to ... flower girl dresses. And it made me cry,

She continued:

And it really hurt my feelings, and I thought in the context of everything else that was going on in those days leading to the wedding, it didn't make sense to not be just doing whatever everyone else is doing, which was trying to be supportive knowing what was going on with my dad and whatnot.

What sources are saying about it

According to Mirror who report on what a source said to the Daily Telegraph, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton argued because of the outfit worn by the bridesmaids. More specifically, about whether or not the little girls should wear tights. There also seemed to be an issue with how the dresses fit.

The anonymous source said:

What actually happened was that the dress itself did not fit Kate's then nearly three-year-old daughter.

Adding,

Kate had only just given birth to her third child, Prince Louis, and was feeling quite ­emotional.

In 2020, Tatler Magazine reported the words of a supposed friend of the Princess of Wales who claims it all started because the latter wanted to stick to royal protocol.

It was a hot day and apparently there was a row over whether the bridesmaids should wear tights or not. Kate, following protocol, felt that they should. Meghan didn't want them to.

In the end, the little girls did not wear tights.

Moreover, it should be added that in her 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, Meghan Markle claimed that Kate Middleton had apologised to her the day after the argument.

What is context telling us?

While the tights story may make some people smile, it has been referenced many times to highlight the differences between the two women. However, as we have addressed earlier, the extent of the dispute was not only due to the fact that the then Duchess of Cambridge was more respectful of protocol than Prince Harry's wife. Indeed, During this period, both women were very sensitive.

While Meghan Markle was stressed by wedding preparations, Kate Middleton had just given birth to Louis, her third child.

This article has been adapted from Oh!mymag France

Read more:

⋙ Meghan Markle questioned once again over claim she didn't know the Royal Family

⋙ Were Prince Harry and Meghan telling the truth? Fresh revelations could link Megxit to Prince William

⋙ Kate Middleton: Source explains how she could be key to reconciliation between Princes William and Harry

Sources:

The Telegraph: Ingrid Seward: ‘I think Meghan must have been incredibly envious and then jealous of Kate’

Harper's Bazaar: Meghan Markle Tells Oprah That Kate Middleton Made Her Cry Before Her Wedding

Mirror: Kate and Meghan's infamous bridesmaid dress row - 'baby brain' remark and peace offering

Tatler: HRH The Duchess of Cambridge is crowned Catherine the Great on the July/August cover