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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have done quite a few things since quitting their roles as working royals that have upset Prince William. But one thing the Sussexes have done over and over again to really “push the future king’s buttons” has to do with his wife, the Princess of Wales.

What Prince Harry and Meghan have continued to say that infuriates Prince William

After they stepped down in 2020, the duke and duchess surprised everyone, including Harry’s relatives, by doing a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Several bombshells came out of that primetime special as Meghan and Harry aired out the royal family’s dirty laundry. One of the first things the former Suits star discussed was her relationship with her sister-in-law who she called “Kate.” However, the princess no longer uses that name, just like Meghan doesn’t use “Rachel.” But the Sussexes still continue to call her that and it really bothers William.

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

While much of the public still calls William’s wife “Kate Middleton” or “Princess Kate” that is not how she is referred to by any members of the family, working royals or not. Meghan and Harry know this but when speaking about the princess, they always refer to her as “Kate” instead of “Catherine” or by her “Princess of Wales” title.

One of William’s friends told The Daily Beast that the Prince of Wales “takes offense at people calling Catherine ‘Kate’ because she has asked to be known as Catherine. It’s a fairly simple wish to respect. I’m sure Meghan wouldn’t like it if William started publicly calling her ‘Meghan Markle.’

“Of course, it’s an utterly trivial thing, but those of us who know William know that it is one of the things that pushes his buttons. Pushing his buttons while he was going through his wife’s cancer seemed an entirely unnecessary and deliberate irritation.”

Many believe the Sussexes weren’t sincere in wishing the princess well after her cancer diagnosis

Prince William, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey
Prince William, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey | Eddie Mulholland – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Due to their ongoing feud, Meghan and Harry have no access to the Prince and Princess of Wales or anything that goes on in their lives these days. Therefore, the Sussexes found out about their sister-in-law’s cancer diagnosis the same way the rest of the world did: via her video message.

Following the news, the duke and duchess released a statement to People that read: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”

Plenty of people pointed to the fact that the Sussexes again refused to use her title or “Catherine” and thus made the entire message seem like they weren’t being sincere at all.

Another friend of the Waleses insisted that it was “bloody rude” of Harry and Meghan to call the princess “Kate” again, saying: “Deliberately calling someone by a name they don’t like is just bloody rude. If Harry and Meghan were serious about healing their issue, a good first step would be to call her Catherine.”