From being forbidden to earn money independently to the ban on public displays of affection with her husband, the strict rules Kate Middleton must adhere to are indeed daunting. Meanwhile, Prince Harry seems unlikely to ever regain the trust of Prince William and Princess Kate, amid concerns over information leaks and how a recent Sussex project has overshadowed Princess Kate. We'll explore all of this today, but let's take it step by step.
Contrary to popular belief, the life of the Duchess of Cambridge is far from glamorous and carefree. Kate Middleton's life is governed by a strict protocol, with no exceptions, especially as she lives constantly in the public eye. After marrying Prince William, Kate had to adapt to the lifestyle and rules established by Queen Elizabeth II for life at court. These rules are numerous, and all must be strictly observed—such is the price of status.
Some of the rules the Duchess must follow are not without controversy. Queen Elizabeth II, who has long been in control, sets these rules. Despite decades of societal change, some rules have remained unchanged, leading to modern social conflicts. For instance, Kate is forbidden to earn money independently and is also prohibited from hugging her husband in public.
After joining the royal family, Kate Middleton became a celebrity. However, she is not allowed to give autographs to fans, a rule that disappoints many. According to royal protocol, she can only sign official documents preapproved by the Queen. This rule exists to prevent the possibility of someone forging documents in a royal's name. As a result, only photographs and handshakes are allowed.
In a recent video, Princess Kate was seen without her wedding ring while standing next to Prince William. The Prince and Princess of Wales delighted their royal fans by appearing in a video praising the British team after the recent Olympics. While many viewers were charmed by the Prince of Wales' beard, others noticed a surprising detail: the Princess of Wales was wearing a different ring alongside her engagement ring, prompting questions about the absence of her wedding ring.
There are several potential reasons why Kate might have decided not to wear her wedding ring. In March, Dr. Joy Leo, a respected oncologist, explained that during cancer treatment, practical reasons might necessitate the removal of rings. Chemotherapy can cause fluid retention in the hands, making rings tight and difficult to wear. Additionally, metal rings can interfere with radiation therapy and cause skin burns around the ring. Given the news about her health and the appearance of a new special ring, the most likely reason Princess Kate removed her wedding ring is that it became too tight.
This special ring closely resembles a promise ring that Prince William gave Kate during their university years. Jeweler Steven Stone noted that during their time at university, William gave her a promise ring. Although it's hard to say for sure, the footage suggests that she may be wearing this sentimental piece again. The ring is set on a Victorian rose gold band with two garnets, Kate's zodiac stone, and pearls, symbolizing William's birthstone for June.
In other news, Prince Harry may never regain the trust of Prince William, according to sources. Prince Harry's autobiography, published in January 2023, contained numerous attacks on senior members of the royal family, including personal details of his interactions with them. As a result, many royal family members are now hesitant to communicate with Prince Harry, fearing that he may disclose details in a second autobiography.
A source reported, "The problem for the King and other family members is that they worry if they talk to Harry, it will appear in the second volume. How can he regain trust? I don't think Harry will ever be able to do that. But from my conversations with the King, I would never say that their relationship is irreparable. His love for his son has not diminished. However, there are other royal family members who are much more determined in their stance against Harry, and that's the issue."
After the book's publication, King Charles asked Harry and Meghan to vacate Frogmore Cottage. The Duke of Sussex requested to keep Frogmore until King Charles' coronation in May 2023. In July 2023, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially left the royal residence and have since not found a permanent home in the UK. A report published last month revealed that Frogmore Cottage remains vacant a year after their eviction.
Since leaving Frogmore Cottage, Prince Harry has visited London several times but has not stayed at any royal residences. An insider told the Daily Mail that the eviction made it difficult for Prince Harry to visit the UK regularly.
A royal commentator claims that a recent Sussex project has stepped on the toes of Princess Kate. The commentator accused Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of trying to steal the spotlight from Kate after their trip to Colombia drew attention to a project important to the Princess of Wales. In 2021, Kate founded the Center for Early Childhood, an initiative dedicated to understanding how the first five years of life fundamentally shape who we become.
Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, who invited Meghan and Harry, praised the Archewell Foundation led by the couple for its global leadership in creating a safer online environment. She told Quinn Media, "This would have been music to Meghan's ears, but British Palace officials are annoyed that Harry and Meghan are once again trying to steal the spotlight from a key issue central to the royal family's role."
During their 4-day tour of Colombia, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Kio El Rodeo School in the Santa Fe District of Bogotá, considered one of the best educational institutions in the world. They were shown the school's social and emotional gym, which offers a balanced mix of mental and physical exercises. This trip is part of a broader initiative aimed at bringing together a diverse group of people united by a common vision of a healthier and more ethical digital landscape. Harry talked about how misinformation on social media can cause unrest.
But Kate has a counter to Meghan and Harry. A source claims that Princess Kate is gaining the spotlight in the US, while Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have failed to make an impression in Los Angeles. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to California in 2020, the same year they stepped down as senior working royals. Despite living in Montecito for almost five years, they have faded from public conversations.
A friend and adviser to the royal family told The Times, "What they have failed to do is to create a public presence that is respected and popular. I was recently in Los Angeles and was struck by the fact that they are not a topic of conversation. Everyone wanted to know about the King's health and Kate. Harry and Meghan have fallen out of the conversation."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not on speaking terms with the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Duke of Sussex last saw Princess Kate at King Charles' coronation in May 2023.
