According to various reports, Princess Katherine was deeply troubled by the Duchess's critical remarks about Princess Charlotte, which exacerbated their already strained relationship.
Being an outsider without an aristocratic background joining the royal family widened the gap between them. Similarly, the Duchess of Sussex faced comparable challenges upon marrying into royalty, setting the stage for rumored difficulties in forming a genuine friendship with Catherine.
Rumors circulated that tensions peaked when the Duchess allegedly made Catherine emotional during a heated dispute over bridesmaid outfits before the May 2018 wedding. Initially believed to be Catherine shedding tears, it was later clarified that the Duchess was the one in tears, complicating their relationship further. Tom Bower's book, "Revenge: The Duchess, the Duke, and the War Between the Windsors," added fuel to the fire by claiming that the Duchess made a derogatory comparison involving Catherine's daughter, Princess Charlotte.
Anonymous sources in Bower's 2022 book suggested Catherine was moved to tears multiple times leading up to the Sussexes' wedding, with the latest accusation adding to the ongoing discord. The book highlighted Catherine's exhaustion after giving birth to Prince Louis shortly before the wedding, when discussions about bridesmaid attire became contentious. Reports suggested Catherine, fatigued, did not contest the suggestion for the bridesmaids to wear tights, contrasting with the Duchess of Sussex and her friend Jessica's insistence otherwise.
Despite these tensions, Catherine eventually acknowledged her feelings and apologized. The Duchess later disclosed in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that she had indeed bought flowers as a peace offering during wedding preparations, underscoring the complexities of their relationship. Bower's book further outlined instances where the Duchess's actions were viewed as disrespectful within the royal family, particularly the hurtful comparison involving their children.
The lead-up to the wedding was fraught with stress and misunderstandings, continuing to affect their relationship afterward. Katherine's emotional state as a new mother and the pressures surrounding the royal wedding amplified sensitivity and conflict between the two women. This narrative reflects broader challenges faced by newcomers to the royal family, especially those without aristocratic backgrounds, navigating public scrutiny and internal family dynamics.
The Duchess of Sussex, like Katherine before her, confronted these challenges head-on, but building mutual respect and friendship proved arduous amidst the obstacles. In conclusion, the strained relationship between Princess Katherine and the Duchess of Sussex underscores the complexities of royal dynamics, cultural clashes, and personal grievances. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the human emotions beneath the public facade of royal life.
