Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped away from the royal family four years ago, and while many expected them to retreat from the spotlight, the opposite occurred.

Their departure has remained a source of controversy, as their candid remarks about the monarchy have kept them in the headlines and further strained their relationships with senior royals, including Kate Middleton.

The couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey marked the beginning of their public criticism of the royal institution. Meghan disclosed that King Charles had ignored Harry’s calls and alleged that conversations had taken place about how dark their son Archie’s skin might be.

Their critiques didn’t stop there. Through various interviews, their Netflix documentary, and Harry’s memoir Spare, they continued to shed light on their grievances, further damaging their ties with the royal family.

One of the most well-known conflicts was between Meghan and Kate Middleton. In their Netflix series, Meghan described their first meeting as uncomfortable, highlighting differences in cultural formality.

Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand noted that while Meghan and Kate were never openly hostile toward each other, their relationship never blossomed into a close friendship. Meghan had hoped for Kate’s support but was left disappointed.

Tensions intensified ahead of Harry and Meghan’s wedding when a disagreement over flower girl dresses reportedly left Meghan in tears.

Although Meghan later claimed that Kate apologized, Harry’s book provided further insight, including private texts in which Kate expressed concerns about Princess Charlotte’s dress being too large.

Harry’s memoir also contained criticisms of his father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William. He accused his stepmother, Queen Camilla, of being manipulative and claimed that Charles failed to comfort him after Princess Diana’s passing. William, in particular, remains deeply hurt over how Meghan and Harry have treated his wife and has reportedly refused to offer an apology or mend their fractured relationship.

Following King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, Harry made a short visit to see his father, fueling speculation about a possible reconciliation. However, reports suggest William strongly opposes Harry resuming any royal duties, and Camilla was reportedly displeased with Harry’s visit, viewing it as a publicity stunt.

Despite these tensions, a royal expert claims the fallout between Harry and Meghan has only strengthened the bond between King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.

According to Lady Colin Campbell, the four are now more united than ever, working together to uphold the monarchy. She also dismissed the idea of Harry and Meghan returning to royal life, likening it to “drinking poison from a chalice.”

Lady C further suggested that while Meghan does not regret leaving the royal family, she is frustrated by her struggles to achieve success outside of it. She argued that Meghan expected her royal status to bring significant wealth and influence, but those expectations have not been met.

While some wonder whether a reconciliation is possible, for now, it appears unlikely.