Prince William and Meghan Markle share a complex and evolving history. Before Meghan married Prince Harry, William reportedly expressed doubts about their relationship, advising Harry to take his time to ensure it was the right decision.

Initially, after Meghan became part of the Royal Family, she and William appeared to enjoy a warm relationship. Unfortunately, the same could not be said about Meghan and Kate Middleton, which inevitably placed William in a difficult position.

When Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior royals, tensions within the family became more apparent. Even before their departure, it’s been suggested that the dynamics between Meghan and the royals, particularly William, weren’t as harmonious as they seemed. According to one royal expert, William may have taken a subtle jab at Meghan during a public speech, which some interpret as a sign of underlying tension.

Early Concerns About Meghan

William was initially cautious about Harry’s rapidly progressing relationship with Meghan. As described in the book Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, William reportedly advised Harry, “Don’t feel you need to rush this,” and, “Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.” This well-meaning advice, however, reportedly upset Harry, particularly the phrase “this girl.”

The authors also noted that William privately voiced concerns about Meghan’s intentions, suggesting she might be more focused on personal advancement than on the Royal Family’s mission. Despite these reservations, William wanted Meghan to feel welcome and appreciated the challenges she faced in adapting to royal life.

A Public Swipe?

Before Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding, tensions allegedly began to surface. At a Royal Foundation Forum event, where Meghan made her debut as a “working royal,” there were reportedly clashes backstage, including an awkward moment involving Kate and Meghan. Royal editor Richard Eden speculated that William’s comment during the event — “The task for us would not be to reinvent the wheel” — might have been directed at Meghan, who had publicly endorsed movements like Me Too and Times Up.

When asked about disagreements among the “Fab Four” during the same event, Harry admitted they’d had their differences but described them as “healthy.” William added, “Working as a family does have its challenges… We’re stuck together for the rest of our lives.”

The Current Rift

Today, Harry and Meghan remain estranged from the Royal Family. While Harry has shown some openness to returning to the UK, Meghan appears less inclined. Harry’s ongoing legal battles in the UK, including a lawsuit against New Group Newspapers, are likely to bring him back to London in 2025, but Meghan is not expected to join him.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams cited several reasons for Meghan’s absence, including strained relations with the Royal Family and unfavorable public opinion in the UK.

Life in the US

Despite speculation about a potential move, Harry and Meghan are firmly rooted in California, where they feel at home. Reports of a backup plan involving a house in Portugal are tied to concerns over Donald Trump’s previous threats to deport Harry if visa issues arise. However, the couple is determined to remain in the US and has the legal support to fight any challenges.

As one source explained, “Meghan is a US citizen, and Archie has just started a new school, so leaving the place they call home isn’t even an option.” Another added, “Harry and Meghan feel at home in California, and they won’t be leaving there without a fight.”