Meghan Markle has famously had a complicated relationship with the royal family, and now, her one-word response to meeting Kate Middleton is making the rounds again. A resurfaced video from Markle and Prince Harry’s 2017 engagement interview with the BBC shows the then–bride‑to‑be giving a simple, glowing one‑word review of her new sister‑in‑law. At the time, the couple sat together in Kensington Palace as they walked journalist Mishal Husain through their relationship.
Meghan Markle’s reaction to meeting Kate Middleton for the first time resurfaces
During the interview, Prince Harry explained that he had kept their romance private at first, before finally introducing Meghan Markle to the royal family. He said, “William was longing to meet her and so was Catherine,” recalling several dinners at their neighboring homes. Harry added, “Catherine has been absolutely—.” Before he could finish, Markle jumped in with the word, “Wonderful.”
Back then, Markle also praised the royals for how they received her, especially Queen Elizabeth II. She had said, “To be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honour and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother, all of those layers have been so important for me.” Calling the late monarch “an incredible woman,” Markle said she felt “incredible respect” for the time she spent with her.
Notably, the narrative changed years later in the couple’s Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” where Markle described that first dinner with Prince William and Middleton in far less rosy terms. She remembered hosting the couple at home “in ripped jeans” and barefoot, greeting them with hugs. Markle said, “I’ve always been a hugger,” admitting she “didn’t realise that that is really jarring for a lot of Brits.”
She went on to say she immediately understood that “the formality on the outside carried through on the inside,” adding, “That was surprising to me.” Harry later reflected on that culture clash in his memoir “Spare,” writing about the contrast between Meghan Markle’s casual style and Kate Middleton being “done up to the nines” that night.
Originally reported by Ishika Mishra on Reality Tea.
