Meghan Markle’s jealousy of Kate Middleton sparked royal rift, says ex-butler

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, harbored jealousy toward Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, due to stark differences in their royal residences, according to Paul Burrell, a former royal butler. In his new book, The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King, and Princess Diana, Burrell reveals how this envy, coupled with Meghan’s struggle to adapt to the monarchy’s rigid hierarchy and protocols, led to Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020. The tension began shortly after their engagement, when they were assigned the modest Nottingham Cottage, while William and Kate lived in the lavish Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. This disparity, Burrell claims, sowed the seeds of discord that culminated in the couple’s departure, known as “Megxit.”

Burrell’s account, drawing from his decades of service to the royal family, has reignited discussions about the internal dynamics of the monarchy. The book sheds light on key moments that strained Meghan and Harry’s relationship with the royal institution.

• Factors contributing to the rift, per Burrell’s account.
• Royal residences as symbols of status within the monarchy.
• Impact of Harry and Meghan’s decision to leave the UK.

The former butler emphasizes that Meghan’s American background made it challenging for her to grasp the monarchy’s traditions, fueling her frustration with her secondary role compared to Kate.

Royal residences and the roots of tension

When Harry and Meghan got engaged in 2017, they were given Nottingham Cottage, a cozy but modest home in the grounds of Kensington Palace. With two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen, it was similar to the residence William and Kate occupied early in their marriage. However, tensions arose when Meghan visited William and Kate’s Apartment 1A, a grand space with expansive rooms, including a dance hall. According to Burrell, this contrast sparked Meghan’s jealousy, as she realized her place in the royal hierarchy would always be below Kate’s, the future queen consort.

Nottingham Cottage, while charming, fell short of Meghan’s expectations for a residence befitting a senior royal. Burrell notes that Meghan struggled to understand the monarchy’s structure, where precedence is tied to proximity to the throne.

• Nottingham Cottage: two bedrooms, living room, and kitchen.
• Apartment 1A: spacious, with a dance hall and luxurious amenities.
• Royal hierarchy: Kate’s future role as queen gave her precedence.
• Meghan’s expectations: a home matching her new royal status.

This disparity in living arrangements, Burrell argues, became a symbol of Meghan’s perceived inferiority within the royal family.

Struggles with royal protocol

Raised in the United States, Meghan brought an outsider’s perspective to the British monarchy, which, according to Burrell, hindered her ability to adapt. The monarchy operates on centuries-old traditions, with strict protocols and a clear hierarchy. Burrell suggests that Meghan’s inability to accept her position behind Kate Middleton was a central issue in her growing discontent.

The book highlights how Meghan viewed Kate as a rival, not just in status but in lifestyle. While Kate, raised in the UK, seamlessly adopted the monarchy’s expectations, Meghan found it difficult to navigate the same path.

• Royal protocols: precedence based on the line of succession.
• Cultural differences: Meghan struggled with British traditions.
• Kate Middleton: a model of compliance with royal expectations.

These cultural and structural challenges, Burrell claims, deepened the rift between Meghan and the royal establishment.

Diana’s role in keeping the brothers united

Paul Burrell, who served Princess Diana closely, believes she would have played a pivotal role in preventing the fallout between Harry, Meghan, William, and Kate. Diana, known for her progressive and empathetic approach, prioritized the bond between her sons, regardless of royal pressures.

In his book, Burrell argues that Diana would have mediated the tensions, potentially averting the couple’s exit. He also notes that Queen Elizabeth II, despite wanting Harry and Meghan to remain, struggled to relate to their challenges due to a generational gap.

• Diana: a champion of unity between Harry and William.
• Elizabeth II: wished to keep the couple but couldn’t bridge the gap.
• Fab Four: the media’s term for the royal quartet before the split.

Diana’s absence, according to Burrell, left a void that exacerbated the family’s divisions.

The decision to leave the monarchy

In January 2020, Harry and Meghan shocked the world by announcing their decision to step back from royal duties and relocate to the United States, a move dubbed “Megxit.” This ended the era of the “Fab Four,” as the media had called the two royal couples, who were seen as the modern face of the monarchy.

Burrell attributes the decision to Meghan’s feelings of being sidelined in the royal hierarchy, amplified by the differences in their residences and treatment. The move to California marked their pursuit of independence but also highlighted the underlying tensions within the royal family.

• Announcement: made in January 2020, surprising the monarchy.
• Motivation: jealousy and dissatisfaction with royal hierarchy.
• New home: the couple settled in California, USA.
• Fab Four: the end of the unified image of the royal couples.

The departure sparked global debates about the monarchy’s relevance and its ability to adapt to modern expectations.

The monarchy’s image post-Megxit

Harry and Meghan’s exit raised questions about the British monarchy’s role in a contemporary world. While William and Kate continued their duties as senior royals, the absence of the Sussexes left a gap in the monarchy’s modernizing image.

Burrell notes that Harry and Meghan were once seen as the “golden couple,” with the potential to refresh the royal institution. However, internal tensions and Meghan’s struggle with royal expectations altered this trajectory.

• Modern image: Harry and Meghan symbolized renewal.
• Reputation crisis: Megxit exposed royal divisions.
• William and Kate’s role: upholding monarchical tradition.

Burrell’s book underscores how seemingly minor issues, like the allocation of residences, can trigger significant crises in a tradition-bound institution.