Former royal butler Paul Burrell believes he knows when tension first appeared between Meghan Markle and Princess Kate, according to his new book The Royal Insider.
Burrell, who once served as a footman to Queen Elizabeth II and later as butler to Princess Diana, says that Meghan’s reported jealousy began when Prince William and Kate Middleton moved into Kensington palace.
An excerpt published in his book examines the beginnings of the alleged drama between the Duchess of Sussex and the Princess of Wales. Burrell writes, “Meghan seemed to have saved him,” speaking of Harry.
The actress had moved into Nottingham Cottage, a small, two-bedroom home on the grounds of Kensington Palace, where Harry proposed over a roast chicken dinner in 2017.
The couple later joked in their 2022 Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan about the “really low ceilings” that left Harry bumping his head.
Burrell does not explicitly say this moment caused lasting conflict, but he highlights it as an early sign of tension between the couples.
Burrell’s comments provide insight into the early dynamics of the royal household, reflecting his long history working with Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II.
Though Meghan and Harry have since stepped back from royal duties, this anecdote adds context to the ongoing speculation about their relationship with other family members.