Like Meghan, Sophie – who was the Countess of Wessex at the time – was also fiercely independent, having had a successful career in public relations prior to marrying Prince Edward in 1999.
But when the Queen advised that the women meet up, Meghan reportedly bluntly replied: “I’ve got Harry.” In his book, Jobson notes the Queen was rather “surprised” by the remark.
In the same book, the royal correspondent also shared more insights into the moment Meghan and Prince Harry joined his brother Prince William and wife Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, for a walkabout outside Windsor Castle following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September.
Despite the “Fab Four” putting on a united front for the crowd of mourners and wellwishers, Jobson said Kate apparently felt uncomfortable throughout the entire outing, which took place just two days after the beloved monarch’s passing.
While the walkabout appeared to be a reconciliation of sorts following the many bombshell interviews the Sussexes had given about the royal family since their exit in 2020, Jobson reports it was simply an “illusion”.
“Catherine later admitted to a senior royal that, such was the ill feeling between the two couples, the joint walkabout was one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do,” Jobson wrote in an extract obtained by the Daily Mail.
The foursome could have all eyes on them again next month at King Charles’ coronation. While Prince Harry and Meghan have yet to confirm their attendance, they are currently in discussions with the palace regarding the historical event.
“It’s hoped that Harry and Meghan will be there,” an insider recently told Page Six. “All families are difficult, but this is no normal family, of course. Harry has a lot of questions about how the event will work.”