Rumours of a royal rift have reached an all-time high after it was confirmed last week that Prince Harry and Meghan have snubbed Prince William and Kate, and will be relocating from Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor – a telling sign that all is not well between the ‘Fab Four’.
And now New Idea has learnt the sudden departure of a palace maid, the fourth member of staff to quit, has caused ructions, as talk of a tell-all book – in particular detailing Meghan’s reported diva demands – has upset the palace.
“Senior royals are very worried a disgruntled palace maid who recently left her job will do a tell-all on just how hard Meghan is to work for,” a source reveals.
“There are rumours this ex-staffer has been offered millions to reveal her secrets in a book or TV exposé and they’re trying to stop that from happening. It would be very damaging – this maid knows a lot of secrets, she knows all about the tension between Meghan and Kate and how Meghan has driven a wedge between Harry and William.”
This new development backs up claims of a rift between Harry and Wills – and their wives. “They are very different women despite their similar circumstances. Meghan is an extrovert whereas Kate is quite shy,” a source told the UK’s Daily Telegraph.
In fact, the former Suits star is said to have completely shaken up Kensington Palace with reported 5am wake-up calls and “bombarding” staff with emails.
“Meghan can be a tough boss,” spills the insider.
“She’s very strong-willed, can be abrupt and tends to micro-manage because she likes control. Given the royal staff have long done things their way and in line with what the Queen likes, it’s been very difficult to have a foreigner come in and change everything. So it’s certainly caused some tension.”
Another source spilled to Radar Online that Meghan has changed from demure duchess to demanding diva within months. “She’s ripping up the rule book and rewriting her role like she’s the star and her position is a part in a Hollywood movie.”
It’s also claimed that mild-mannered Kate was left in floods of tears during Charlotte’s bridesmaid’s dress fitting for Harry and Meghan’s May wedding. “Kate had only just given birth to Prince Louis and was feeling emotional,” an insider told The Telegraph.
In public the duchesses are careful not to express contempt for each other. Last week Kate was overheard telling a fan she was “absolutely” excited about Meghan’s baby. “It’s such a special time to have little kiddies,” she shared. “A cousin for George and Charlotte, as well, and Louis. It’ll be really special.”
However behind the scenes things are different. A particular bone of contention is the rumour that Kate is secretly pregnant with her fourth child – news that perhaps would not go down so well with Meghan, given she is currently in the spotlight during her first pregnancy.
But it’s not just Kate who Meghan’s rubbed the wrong way. Not only has her personal assistant Melissa Touabti quit her post after just six months, but the Queen is also said to have been disgruntled after Meghan asked to wear an emerald tiara to her wedding instead of the one offered by the 92-year-old monarch.
It’s no wonder Harry and Meghan aren’t keen on being neighbours with Wills and Kate – despite millions reportedly being spent on renovating Apartment 1, the section of Kensington Palace where the couple initially planned to reside.
While palace officials insist the move to the cottage on the 33-acre Frogmore estate at Windsor Castle has more to do with their need for space once the baby arrives, rumours are rife all is not well between the once close-knit royal brothers.
“The initial plan was for Harry and Meghan to move out of their cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace and into one of the main apartments,” a source told The Sun. “But there’s been a bit of tension between the brothers.”
Having got a name for herself as a social climber, it comes as no surprise that Meghan is said to have chosen high-profile stars George and Amal Clooney to be her baby’s godparents, a move that is sure to raise eyebrows within the royal fold.
When asked if there were any disagreements with the family, William joked: “Oh, yes!” Harry added: “Working as family does have its challenges, of course it does. But we’re stuck together for the rest of our lives.”
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea, on sale now.
