The relationship between Meghan Markle and Prince William has been fraught with tension since their first meeting. In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry recounts the awkward moment in 2016 when he introduced Meghan to his brother, William.
Meghan, known for her open and affectionate nature, leaned in to give William a hug. Harry found it both funny and charming, but William’s reaction was far from warm-he recoiled, uncomfortable with the gesture.
“Willy didn’t hug many strangers. Whereas Meghan hugged most strangers,” Harry reflected, noting the stark contrast between their personalities. What seemed like an innocent moment would become symbolic of deeper rifts within the royal family.
Cultural differences spark tension
The tension between Meghan and William wasn’t just limited to their first meeting. Tom Quinn’s book Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants reveals how Meghan’s frequent hugs and casual approach to royal life caused discomfort within the royal family, particularly with William.
Meghan’s tendency to embrace both royals and staff members alike often made her in-laws uneasy. Quinn highlights that Meghan’s “tactile manner” and constant hugs, which were completely natural to her, made her brother-in-law visibly uncomfortable.
The “touchy-feeliness” also fueled rumors among palace staff, with gossip circulating that Meghan’s affectionate gestures were misinterpreted as flirting, particularly toward William, which she had no intention of.
This misunderstanding only deepened the rift between the brothers, with their relationship becoming increasingly strained.
Meghan’s laid-back California style and her tendency to embrace others with warmth and affection were starkly different from the royal family’s reserved formality.
According to Quinn, Meghan’s behavior made her seem out of place in the highly structured world of the British monarchy. Even Princess Kate Middleton, known for her poise and formality, had a difficult time adjusting to Meghan’s casual approach.
In Spare, Harry recounts an incident where Meghan’s remark about Kate’s “baby brain” triggered a confrontation, with William telling Meghan off.
“It’s rude, Meghan. It’s not what’s done here in Britain,” he is said to have replied.
Meghan’s attempt to fit in, particularly with her physical affection and blunt manner, caused friction with royal norms, leading to her “Duchess Difficult” label.
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