Ever since the Sussexes have returned, there has been no interaction and not even an acknowledgement from the Waleses on their arrival. There have been diary clashes which reportedly have irritated the royals, particularly the Prince of Wales.
While there is no chance of the estranged brothers William and Harry meeting any time soon, there was a belief that Catherine would be willing to bridge the gap. Sources have now revealed that the scenario is quite different as the Princess of Wales has taken careful steps about meeting Meghan now that she is back in the UK.
William and Catherine's team have taken careful steps to ensure the royals do not unexpectedly find themselves mingling in the same social circles. "Meghan's meeting with Malala was a little too close to home for Kate," a royal insider told Woman's Day.
"Even though she's tucked away at Windsor most of the time, Claridge's is one of her favourite spots for a discreet lunch." Moreover, Kate and William have dined there many times so "it's understandable that it might irk Kate to see Meghan swanning about on her old turf".
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Sussex is ready for a "face-off" and the insiders insist that Meghan should not be underestimated. "She knows it would be the money shot to have her and Kate staring each other down across a restaurant," the source added.
"Her making a big show of her Claridge's outing is sending a clear message that it will be Kate's team who has to work around avoiding her - because frankly, Meghan would love a public face-off with Kate." Royal analysts suggest that the tensions between the two households remain exceptionally high, with aides continuously monitoring public appearances to prevent any awkward encounters in elite London venues.
The ongoing rift between Prince Harry and Prince William has further complicated the family dynamics, leaving little room for spontaneous reconciliations or casual social gatherings among the senior royals. As both sides navigate their respective public engagements, security and PR teams are maintaining a strict protocol to keep the households entirely separate across all upcoming events.
Public interest in the feud continues to dominate tabloid headlines worldwide, ensuring that every movement made by either royal camp is scrutinized by millions of observers globally.