After leaving his role as a senior royal and relocating to the US, Prince Harry publicly revealed private text messages between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, offering a rare glimpse into the tension between the two women.
The exchange, detailed in Harry’s memoir Spare, revolved around their now-infamous disagreement over bridesmaid dresses — specifically the one worn by Princess Charlotte at Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
Disputing the Long-Running Narrative
For years, reports claimed that Meghan had made Kate cry during the dress fitting dispute. But in her headline-making 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan gave a different account, saying it was actually she who ended up in tears.
According to Harry, the messages began when Kate reached out just four days before the wedding to say that the dresses needed alterations. At the time, Meghan was juggling intense wedding preparations and concern over her father’s heart surgery.
The Text Message Exchange
Kate reportedly wrote, “Charlotte’s dress is too big, too long, too baggy. She cried when she tried it on at home.” Meghan responded, “Right, and I told you the tailor has been standing by since 8 a.m. Here. At KP. Can you take Charlotte to have it altered, as the other mums are doing?”
Kate declined this option, insisting, “No, all the dresses need to be remade,” and claimed her wedding designer had agreed. Harry recounted Meghan asking if Kate understood what was happening with her father at that moment. Kate said she did, but stressed, “The dresses and the wedding are in four days!”
Harry added, “[Kate] had problems with the way Meg was planning her wedding. Something about a party for the page boys? It went back and forth.” Meghan’s final text read, “I’m not sure what else to say. If the dress doesn’t fit, then please take Charlotte to see Ajay. He’s been waiting all day.” Kate allegedly replied with a single word: “Fine.”
According to Harry, he returned home to find Meghan crying on the floor. The following day, Kate brought flowers and a card to apologize for the misunderstanding — something Meghan also confirmed in her Oprah interview.
From the “Fab Four” to Fractured Ties
When Harry and Meghan first became engaged, the two women were often seen smiling together at royal events. Alongside Prince William and Harry, they were dubbed the “Fab Four” by the media, as they appeared to be a close-knit team. Today, however, their relationship remains strained, with the bridesmaid dress dispute standing as one of the most public signs of the rift.