With the aftermath of Prince Harry and Meghan’s emotionally charged Africa interviews causing shockwaves among the royal family, New Idea has learnt that behind the scenes Kate Middleton has stepped in to offer the couple her firm and unwavering support.
WATCH: Prince William brutally ignores Meghan Markle at royal event
Veteran royal watcher Phil Dampier reveals exclusively that the Duchess of Cambridge has decided to break her silence and draw a line under any difficulties she and William have had with the troubled couple and once again unite as a supportive foursome. Kate knows about Meghan’s secret struggle and even though she is a strong inspiring woman, underneath she is very sensitive. Now, Kate is apparently determined to do all she can to support her brother-in-law and his wife.
“Behind the scenes I’m told Kate is doing her best to bring everyone together and help Meghan,” says the author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words. “None of them want to let the Queen down so Kate is trying to patch things up in private.
“I’m told she has reached out to Meghan and spoken to her on the phone. Kate feels sorry for her and knows that Meghan is struggling.”
Last week the Duchess of Sussex revealed how she was “not really OK” during an interview for a documentary following her and Harry’s recent tour of southern Africa. In Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, the new mum moved viewers when she appeared to nearly break down as she admitted to struggling with constant scrutiny and criticism since joining the royal family last year.
“Any woman, especially when they’re pregnant, you’re really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging,” she said.
“And then when you have a newborn, you know … especially as a woman, it’s really, it’s a lot,” she continued, visibly teary.
When asked by program-maker Tom Bradby – who later said the couple were clearly “vulnerable and bruised” – if it had been a struggle, she replied with an emotional, “Yes”.
Harry also opened up about how his mental health was suffering, explaining that his mother Princess Diana’s death had left him with a “festering wound” that was re-triggered by how Meghan was being treated.
He said: “I thought I was out of the woods and then suddenly it all came back and I realised that this is something that I have to manage” adding “for me and my wife there’s a lot of stuff that hurts”.
In the documentary Harry explained how he and his brother Prince William are on “different paths” and appeared to confirm reports of a rift.
“We don’t see each other as much as we used to because we are so busy but I love him dearly,” Harry admitted, adding “as brothers, you know, you have good days, you have bad days”.
After the documentary’s airing there was a public outpouring of sympathy for the royal couple with #WeLoveYouMeghan trending on social media.
While there was no official palace response to the program, a senior royal source confirmed William had watched and was “concerned” for his brother. Insiders told the BBC he hoped Harry was “all right”.
Phil Dampier explains that one of the key ways the Duchess of Cambridge is hoping to support the couple, in particular Meghan, is by breaking her silence about how she’s coped over the years.
“Catherine has told Meghan that every royal – including herself – goes through a bad patch with the press but the important thing is to learn by mistakes, move on and get through it.”
“Kate had to go through the mill herself when she was dating William, when she was dubbed Waity Katie and when they split up for a spell,” he adds.
“She has also had to endure rumours about William having an affair but she has kept quiet and retained her dignity throughout.”
Now Kate is determined to help turn things around for the couple. “It would be a disaster if Harry and Meghan quit and lived abroad – William and Kate would be devastated.”
To read more, pick up this week’s issue on New Idea on sale now.
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