The Kate Middleton vs. Meghan Markle feud rumors are back on!
Kate reportedly had a private birthday party before her official, actual birthday celebration on January 9. While the official party took place at Kensington Palace, the Duchess of Cambridge threw her private party at her country home in Norfolk.
Only Kate's closest friends were invited to the private party. Attendees included Prince George's godmother, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, a friend of Kate's from university. Prince Louis' godmother, Laura Meade, was also there.
But guess who didn't attend either celebration? Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
So where was Kate's sister-in-law?!
A royal source told Elle that Meghan and Prince Harry were at their own country home, taking some time off, during Kate's birthday lunch. On Kate's actual birthday, Meghan was in the midst of a busy week of royal engagements. Partying just wasn't in the cards.
Contrary to the (persistent, never-ending) feud rumors, Meghan and Kate are friendly — they're just not that close, the source said.
Last week, the Duchess of Cambridge turned 37 years old. Happy birthday, Kate!
In true duchess fashion, Kate threw an official birthday celebration at her home in Kensington Palace. That party was on January 9, the day of her actual birthday.
Kate is reportedly not into big birthday celebrations, so even her "official" party is usually fairly low-key.
But this year, she decided to throw a second birthday party.
This one was at her and Prince William's country home, Anmer Hall, at Sandringham in Norfolk, England. It happened a few days before the official party, and only Kate's close friends were invited.
That included folks like her children's godparents, who are also some of Kate's closest buds.
Prince Louis' godmother Laura Meade and Prince George's godmother Emilia Jardine-Paterson were there. Both women also attended church service with Kate on January 6.
People couldn't help but notice, though, that Meghan Markle was reportedly not in attendance at either the private party or the official one.
Here we go with the feud rumors again!
People have been speculating for months now that Meghan and Kate are feuding. The rumors got so bad that they even prompted Kensington Palace to break its usual protocol and squash one rumor directly.
So naturally, royal fans (and reporters) are really reading into this whole birthday party issue.
But despite all the fuss, a royal source told Elle — for the millionth time — that there is, in fact, no feud to blame here.
Meghan was never planning to be in Sandringham on the day of the private party. She and Harry had just left Sandringham, in fact, after spending Christmas and Boxing Day at the Queen's country home there.
They'd headed to their own Cotswold country home in Oxfordshire to take some time off ahead of an extremely busy week of royal engagements.
During that week, Meghan's first four patronages were announced, and she made her first official visit to one of them, Smart Works.
So the real reason for her absence at the private party was a simple scheduling conflict.
Also, there was probably no need for Meghan to go out of her way to make the trip to the country for a simple, small birthday lunch.
As for Kate's official birthday celebration, it was… a tea party with her children and Prince William.
Which is EXTREMELY cute, but again, not something that Meghan, of all people, absolutely needed to attend.
Moreover, the two simply aren't that close, Elle's source explained. They're from completely different worlds and have different social circles.
Kate's closest friends are from her boarding school and university days in England, while Meghan's close friends are from her college days in the US and her acting career filming Suits in Canada.
Despite their differences, though, the two get along well and are as friendly as can be.
"The stories of the two duchesses having a major ongoing feud are just overblown," another source said. "They have enormous respect for each other and are both devoted to representing Her Majesty in the humanitarian and charitable work they do."
