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Article Highlights:

  • How Prince William referred to Meghan Markle before she married Harry
  • Video shows William ignoring his sister-in-law
  • Meghan said the smiles the royal family puts on aren’t real
Prince William greeting Meghan Markle with a kiss on the cheek at Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving
Prince William greeting Meghan Markle with a kiss on the cheek at Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Prince William‘s relationship has been a focus among royal watchers for quite some time. There were reports of a rift between King Charles and Princess Diana’s sons in the months leading up to Harry and Meghan Markle‘s decision to step down as senior royals. Once that happened, more tidbits came to light about just how fractured the brothers’ relationship had been. But what about Prince Harry’s wife? Did Meghan ever bond with Prince William? Here’s a look into whether or not the now-Prince of Wales and Duchess of Sussex ever had a good relationship.

How Prince William referred to Meghan Markle before she married Harry

According to the biography Finding Freedom by Carolyn Durrand and Omid Scobie, which many believe the Sussexes leaked information for (the couple denies that), William wasn’t too enthusiastic about Meghan after Harry had decided she was the one. The book claims that Willliam did not give his sibling the support he expected and referred to Meghan as “this girl.”

“Don’t feel you need to rush this,” William told Harry, according to sources quoted in the book. “Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.”

That comment reportedly infuriated Harry and if he ever shared that conversation with Meghan, it probably didn’t make her feel like she was being accepted or welcomed with open arms.

Video shows William ignoring his sister-in-law

Another instance that points to Meghan and William not having a great relationship is the Christmas video seen ’round the world. In it, William seemingly ignores Meghan outside of church on Christmas Day in 2018. Halfway through the clip, Meghan turns to say something to her brother-in-law but William doesn’t give an answer or any acknowledgment of the duchess and just continues adjusting his scarf. After not getting a response, the cameras caught Meghan’s reaction as her face fell and she looked a bit stunned.

Toward the end of the clip, after the couples walk down the church stairs, Meghan smiles and quickly turns around to face William again but he doesn’t say anything to her then either.

The internet was buzzing after the video made the rounds leaving just about everyone convinced that William intentionally snubbed the duchess.

Meghan said the smiles the royal family puts on aren’t real

Oprah Winfrey interviewing Meghan Markle for CBS Primetime Special
Oprah Winfrey interviewing Meghan Markle for CBS Primetime Special | Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese via Getty Images
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If what’s written in the biography and the video evidence aren’t enough, then let’s take Meghan’s own words about her relationship with Harry’s family members into account. She told Oprah Winfrey that the smiles the family puts on to the outside world aren’t real.

During the Sussexes’ primetime special on March 7, 2021, the former talk show host asked the duchess about her relationships with other royals, particularly William’s spouse (formerly known as Kate Middleton). Meghan and her sister-in-law have been photographed smiling alongside each other countless times. But when Oprah asked if they were indeed close given what the public sees in pictures Meghan said: “My understanding and my experience for the past four years is that it’s nothing like what it looks like.” The duchess then emphasized: “It’s nothing like what it looks like.”

Therefore, the Fab Four and the great relationship we all thought Meghan had with William and his wife was merely an illusion.