Mirror: Kate & Meghan’s Relationship ‘Built on Huge Assumptions’ - Look Back at Their Gestures

Body language expert Judi James believes Duchesses Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's relationship was built on false assumptions after analyzing several images.

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, and her sister-in-law, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, are two of the most discussed women in the world.

Kate and Meghan were always expected to be talked about because of their marriages to William and Harry and the publicity that comes with being members of the British royal family.

The relationship between both women became the subject of focus as people tried to see how close they were to each other. That relationship took another dimension following Harry and Meghan's exit from the royal family in 2020.

Several theories exist about the Duchesses' relationship, but Judi James, a body language expert, believes their relationship was built on false assumptions.

Explore these assumptions and find out how James determined them to be false. But first, a look at who Kate and Meghan were before marrying into royalty.

KATE BEFORE MEETING WILLIAM

Since marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate has lived her life with him in the public eye. Her grace and commitment to royal service have earned her the admiration of royals and civilians alike. She also has a close bond with her royal in-laws.

However, before becoming William's wife and the mother of his three children, Kate was from a working-class background and a member of an aristocratic and hardworking family. As a young girl, she was shy and awkward and hardly spoke because of her nervousness.

Her parents ran a lucrative business that dealt with party supplies, and she helped them out and showed great promise as a salesperson in the process. Kate was also a member of a social group called the Glossy Posse, known for their partying.

Kate attended Marlborough, and her pranking streak became well-known. The Duchess even mooned people on campus. A natural athlete, she loved partaking in team sports.

Kate also attended St. Andrews, where she met Prince William. At the university, the pair became friends before starting a relationship that eventually led to their wedding.

MEGHAN BEFORE MEETING HARRY

Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles. After her parents divorced when she was six, she lived with her mom Doria Ragland. Thanks to her dad's work as a lighting director, Meghan got into TV early.

Meghan attended Northwestern University, where she double-majored in theater and international relations. In her junior year, she secured an internship at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina and considered politics.

Meghan has several television and movie roles but is most famous for portraying Rachel Zane in seven seasons of "Suits."

Meghan was previously married before marrying Prince Harry. Her first marriage was to producer Trevor Engelson in 2004. However, they divorced in 2013.

The Duchess is close friends with famous people, including tennis legend Serena Williams and actress Priyanka Chopra.

KATE AND MEGHAN'S RELATIONSHIP

In a Mirror article, Judi James explained the assumptions about Kate and Meghan and determined them to be false. James also revealed secret gestures show just when the Duchesses began falling out.

According to James, Kate and Meghan's relationship was built on three huge assumptions. The first was that they were naturally destined to be close friends.

The second assumption was that Meghan would enter the royal family as a young, nervous, and inexperienced woman needing support, protection, and proactive coaching.

The third assumption was that William and Harry were the royal versions of Jedward, closely-knit brothers who just needed a second wife to become a fabulous four.

James believes most of the assumptions were sexist. She said there was no way Meghan, a super-confident divorcee close to 40, with a Hollywood career and a passionate speaker and campaigner, would need much tutoring for her role in the royal family.

The brothers came together for the first time since attending their grandfather, Prince Philip's funeral in April.

However, even if needed, her husband would always be on hand to guide her through the protocols and traditions. James claimed Kate might have been daunted by Meghan's confidence, energy, and professionalism.

She said the sisters-in-law were used as a smokescreen to conceal the more significant rift between Harry and William. James believed that Harry and William were conflicted at the on-stage initiation of the Royal Foundation Forum in February 2018.

She observed that William's affirmative response when asked if there had been disagreements while planning the launch was instantaneous and heartfelt.

James further highlighted Kate and Meghan's gestures at the launch, noting that the Duchess of Cambridge's chuckles were more like nervous giggles.

James also said Kate's body language showed that Meghan's passion, drive, and urgency for her cause contrasted with Kate's laid-back method of watching Harry and William's on-stage tussle with a polite smile.

James observed that Kate and Meghan put in a friendly body language when they attended a tennis match together. That outing came following rumors that there were tears during the preparation for Meghan and Harry's wedding.

Meghan explained those rumors during her and Harry's much-talked-about interview with Oprah Winfrey. Meghan revealed she and Kate were upset over bridesmaid dresses, which caused her to cry.

Both women had much eye contact and appreciative gestures at the tennis game and showed they were bonding and sharing their passion for the sport.

Despite their bonding moment, the sexist tone they were embroiled in a catfight continued despite it being evident that their husbands had the real problems.

However, poses at formal events somewhat looked iconic to defining a rift, but James suggested that context was slightly wrong.

She said the royal pecking order might have become suddenly more defined at those formal events. Harry and Meghan seemingly always pushed back behind William and Kate.

James wrote that where Kate and Meghan seemed to be standing together with icy expressions and ignorant of each other, they were actually standing behind each other, making happy chats difficult.

James noted that when Kate and Meghan were pictured walking to church on Christmas Day 2018, they had denial body language. She observed that Meghan kept her arm in Harry's and used a bag to barrier herself and Kate.

The intense tension between the "Fabulous Four" was noticeable the last time they went on an outing together. James observed that Kate's signature smile was nowhere to be seen on Harry and Meghan's last gig before their interview with Oprah.

The event was the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in March 2020. Protocol arrangements kept Harry and Meghan separated from high-ranking royals, including William and Kate.

KATE AND MEGHAN'S PRESENT RELATIONSHIP

Kate and Meghan's relationship seems strained following their husbands' feud. However, a source reportedly revealed their relationship is improving following a tumultuous year in the royal family.

The source said Meghan and Kate are getting along really well and have been in touch with each other more often. The source confirmed the sisters-in-law have never been that close but are now closer than ever and working on their relationship for their family's sake.

Meanwhile, the duchesses' husbands reunited in July during the unveiling of their late mother, Princess Diana's statue at Kensington Palace. The unveiling was held on what would have been Princess Diana's 60th birthday.

The brothers came together for the first time since attending their grandfather, Prince Philip's funeral in April. They hoped their mom's statue would symbolize her life and legacy and thanked people worldwide who keep her memory alive.

During the unveiling, Harry and William were captured laughing and talking animatedly with guests. Together, they also pulled off a green cloth covering the statue.