Prince William and Meghan Markle share a complex and evolving history. Before Meghan married Prince Harry, William reportedly expressed doubts about their relationship, advising Harry to take his time to ensure it was the right decision.

Initially, after Meghan became part of the Royal Family, she and William appeared to enjoy a warm relationship. Unfortunately, the same could not be said about Meghan and Kate Middleton, which inevitably placed William in a difficult position.

When Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior royals, tensions within the family became more apparent. Even before their departure, it’s been suggested that the dynamics between Meghan and the royals, particularly William, weren’t as harmonious as they seemed. According to one royal expert, William may have taken a subtle jab at Meghan during a public speech, which some interpret as a sign of underlying tension.

Early Concerns About Meghan

William was initially cautious about Harry’s rapidly progressing relationship with Meghan. As described in the book Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, William reportedly advised Harry, “Don’t feel you need to rush this,” and, “Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.” This well-meaning advice, however, reportedly upset Harry, particularly the phrase “this girl.”

The authors also noted that William privately voiced concerns about Meghan’s intentions, suggesting she might be more focused on personal advancement than on the Royal Family’s mission. Despite these reservations, William wanted Meghan to feel welcome and appreciated the challenges she faced in adapting to royal life.