William and Kate 'rolled out the red carpet' to welcome Meghan into family, say friends denying claims in book
Friends of Prince William and Kate Middleton have snapped at claims made in a bombshell new biography of Harry and Meghan being shunned by the royal family. Although the authors of 'Finding Freedom' Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have claimed that the Sussexes were never welcomed by Harry's brother and his wife, close friends of William and Kate said in the couple's defense that they have "done all they possibly could" to "roll out the red carpet" in order to welcome the former 'Suits' star into the family, going as far as inviting Meghan to Anmer Hall, their family home in Norfolk, and Kate personally cooking vegan meals for her brother-in-law's then-fiancee.
William and Kate also threw a big pre-wedding bash for Harry and Meghan where they invited all of ex-Hollywood star's friends, bridesmaids and page boys. Meghan was also extended an invitation to join Kate in the Royal Box at Wimbledon for two successive years.
"It's just completely wrong to suggest they didn't talk and plain wrong to say the Cambridges weren't welcoming," a friend told Daily Mail on Sunday. "How can you say they weren't warm or welcoming when they hosted Meghan for Christmas, invited her into their totally private inner sanctum at Anmer Hall, and did everything they could to make her feel at home? They personally cooked her favorite vegan food, they couldn't have been more welcoming."
Although Harry and Meghan denied giving interviews for the biography, the authors insisted "all information in this book has at least two sources." The book rehashes the most bitter aspects of the 'Megxit' scandal that gripped the royal family earlier this year.
According to the book, Meghan was referred by a range of demeaning names after her introduction into the royal family, including "that girl" by William, after which Harry didn't speak to his brother for months. She was also called "Harry's showgirl" by another senior royal who added that she "comes with a lot of baggage.'' Also, a high-ranking courtier was overheard telling a colleague: "There's just something about her I don't trust."
William also reportedly warned his younger brother "not to rush this," which upset Harry and since Kate and Meghan were "not the best of friends" the former did little to bridge the gap between their respective spouses. Meghan was "disappointed that she and Kate hadn't bonded over the unique position they shared," the book claimed, adding that the mistrust between the two women led to Kate snubbing Meghan at the Commonwealth Service in March which marked the latter's last appearance as a working royal.
However, a friend of the Cambridges said that Kate's actions were born ''out of sheer frustration" at Harry and Meghan's behavior over Megxit, which included issuing a scathing statement on Instagram and launching their Sussex Royal website. "That was after the Sussexes had issued that incendiary statement and website," the source said, acknowledging, Kate snubbed Meghan at the West Door of Westminster Abbey.
However, they dismissed the claim made by the book that Kate and Meghan "barely exchanged a word" at the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day last year as the Duke of Sussex was seen being cheered on the polo field by Meghan and baby Archie, William, Kate, and their three children as a show os solidarity. ''Everyone saw Kate and Meghan chatting. She [Meghan] had the baby and it was really sweet," one pal insisted. "George went up to Archie and gently stroked his head. Louis was larking around and making Meghan laugh - it was really positive and happy."
William's friend's claimed that he had been left 'sad' and 'disappointed' by the claims in 'Finding Freedom.' ''William had hoped that everyone had moved on, but clearly that's not the case,'' said a friend. ''He's a little sad and disappointed that it's being raked up all over again. He was extremely upset and hurt at the time [in January when Harry stood down from his duties] and his relationship with his brother is still quite distant. It's best described as on-off and more off at the moment. He has no plans to see his brother this year, but of course Covid makes that much more difficult [anyway].''