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There are a lot of reasons why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would want to avoid making any family trips to the United Kingdom — at least for now. Their lack of security, the ongoing feud between the couple and the royals, and the fact that international flights with two young children can be really hard play into the decision. And now, it seems like we have another reason to add to the list: Meghan is not about to play second fiddle to her sister-in-law, even if royal protocol dictates it.
“What, and have Meghan Markle curtsying to Kate Middleton?” Andrew said on the show, via The Royal Observer. “I don’t think so. I don’t see that as a runner.”
Another explanation for her absence? She’s simply too busy.
When Harry travels to the UK, he often leaves Meghan (and their two kids, Archie and Lili) behind, and that might not just be because of the security situation.
“They’ve got their own lives in California,” Andrew said. “They’ve got their own set, they’ve got their own influence, and they’ve got their own companies.”
It would be a while before Meghan is required to curtsy to Kate, though.
As The Royal Observer pointed out, Meghan would only have to curtsy to Kate if Prince William was standing next to her, not if she and Kate were interacting while he was elsewhere. When Will takes the throne, though, Meghan will have to curtsy to Kate as the Queen Consort any time they see each other.
Meghan and Kate’s feud has been brewing for a long time.
Different royal experts (and even fans) have their own theories about when Kate and Meghan stopped getting along — and plenty of people believe they were never friendly in the first place. But it seems safe to assume that around the time of the flower girl incident ahead of Meghan and Harry’s 2018 wedding is when things truly boiled over, and they never ended up having a sisterly relationship after that.
Six years have passed since then, and nothing seems to have improved between them.
It doesn’t appear that Meghan and Kate will have to cross paths any time soon.
The ongoing tension between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the royal family has resulted in their frequent absence from family events in the UK, and there’s more at play than just logistical challenges. Security concerns and the highly publicized rift with the royal family are reasons enough for the couple to stay in California. However, as royal author Andrew Morton suggests, there’s another factor influencing Meghan’s decision: her reluctance to play a secondary role, especially in comparison to her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.
During an appearance on Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Morton shed light on Meghan’s possible unwillingness to conform to royal protocol, including the tradition of curtsying to Kate. He pointed out that Meghan has no interest in being a “guest star” in the royal family. Morton remarked, “What, and have Meghan Markle curtsying to Kate Middleton? I don’t think so. I don’t see that as a runner.”
This tension is further compounded by Meghan and Harry’s increasingly independent lives in California. As Morton noted, they have built their own careers, social circles, and businesses far removed from the duties of the British monarchy. While Prince Harry frequently returns to the UK for specific events, Meghan tends to remain behind with their two children, Archie and Lili.
The question of whether Meghan would ever need to curtsy to Kate has sparked debate among royal watchers. According to The Royal Observer, Meghan would only be required to do so if Prince William was present, as curtsying to senior royals traditionally reflects the presence of their titles. If William becomes king, Meghan would have to curtsy to Kate whenever they meet, as Kate would then hold the title of Queen Consort.
The feud between Meghan and Kate has been a source of speculation for years. Many royal commentators believe that tensions between the two have been brewing since before Meghan and Harry’s wedding in 2018, particularly around the infamous “flower girl incident.” Although the exact details remain unclear, this moment is often cited as a turning point in their relationship.
Six years later, there is little sign of reconciliation between the two women. As royal experts observe, Meghan and Kate are unlikely to be in the same room anytime soon unless circumstances force their paths to cross—perhaps at a major royal event, such as King Charles’ eventual funeral.
Despite the ongoing rift between Meghan, Harry, and the rest of the royal family, many hope that the brothers, Harry and William, will one day reconcile. After years of feuds and estrangement, it would be heartening to see the two repair their relationship.
For the latest updates on Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and their growing family, stay tuned to our dedicated Meghan Markle page.
