Although relations between the two women are now widely described as strained, Princess Catherine initially had a positive impression of Meghan Markle. Royal author Russell Myers claims that when the pair met in early 2017 — several months into Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry, 41 — Catherine viewed her warmly.
In an extract from Myers’ book, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, Catherine is said to have described Meghan as “friendly,” albeit perhaps slightly too friendly, observing that there was a “touch of California” about her.
At the time, Meghan reportedly also “managed to charm” other senior members of the Royal Family, including Prince William and the late Queen Elizabeth II. She was even said to have performed a “perfect curtsy” when meeting the monarch.
Early Signs of Strain
However, tensions began to emerge soon after Harry and Meghan’s romance became public knowledge, as intense media focus on Meghan’s background dominated headlines.