At 1:00 AM EDT on Friday, August 1, 2025, a growing body of evidence suggests that Prince William, the Prince of Wales, harbors a palpable dislike for his sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, despite the opaque nature of his feelings toward his brother, Prince Harry. While the exact dynamics between the royal brothers remain a subject of speculation, William’s public interactions with Meghan—marked by subtle yet telling gestures—paint a vivid picture of discomfort and disapproval. This rift, which has simmered since Meghan’s entry into the royal family in 2018, has resurfaced amid recent family tensions, captivating royal watchers and fueling debates about the future of the monarchy. The stark contrast between William’s warmth toward others and his reserved demeanor with Meghan offers a compelling narrative of personal and institutional strain.

The Context of a Fractured Family

The royal family’s internal discord has been a focal point since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020, relocating to California. Their departure, coupled with high-profile interviews and Harry’s memoir Spare, exposed rifts that trace back to Meghan’s integration into the fold. While William’s relationship with Harry oscillates between strained silence and occasional reconciliation attempts—like the July 2025 meeting of aides with King Charles—his stance toward Meghan appears consistently frosty. Sources suggest William’s reservations began early, fueled by concerns over Meghan’s intentions, a sentiment echoed by royal biographers and insiders close to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The backdrop includes William’s role as the future king, a position that demands he uphold tradition, often clashing with Meghan’s modern, American approach. The couple’s exit and subsequent ventures—Netflix deals, Archewell, and public critiques of the royals—have widened the gap. Yet, it’s William’s public behavior toward Meghan that has recently drawn scrutiny, offering a window into a relationship marked by unease rather than unity.

Public Interactions: A Study in Discomfort

One of the most cited instances occurred on April 25, 2018, during an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey. Footage shows William greeting attendees with his characteristic warmth—handshakes and smiles—before turning to Meghan, then newly engaged to Harry. His body language shifted: a brief nod, no handshake, and a step back as Meghan leaned in with a hug, a gesture she later described as part of her “hugger” nature in the 2022 Netflix series Harry & Meghan. Observers noted William’s slight recoil, a moment body language expert Judi James later called a “human shield” tactic when he positioned himself between Meghan and Kate Middleton during subsequent events, signaling discomfort.

Another telling episode unfolded on July 10, 2018, during the RAF Centenary flypast at Buckingham Palace. As the royal family gathered on the balcony, William stood rigidly beside Meghan, avoiding eye contact while engaging animatedly with Kate and Queen Elizabeth II. When Meghan attempted a conversation, William’s response was a curt nod, his gaze fixed ahead, a stark contrast to his relaxed demeanor with others. This pattern repeated at the 2018 Commonwealth Day service, where William’s brief acknowledgment of Meghan—lacking the smiles he shared with foreign dignitaries—underscored a deliberate distance.

These interactions gained further attention after Harry’s Spare revelations, where he described William’s early warning to “slow down” the relationship, citing Meghan’s American actress background as a risk. Publicly, William’s actions seemed to echo this caution, with sources suggesting he viewed Meghan’s warmth as overfamiliarity, clashing with royal protocol. The 2019 Royal Foundation Forum, where the “Fab Four” (William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan) last appeared together, showed William avoiding Meghan’s gaze during a group photo, his posture stiff while Harry and Kate exchanged smiles.

The Roots of Resentment

Royal biographer Phil Dampier has claimed William’s distrust began before Meghan’s 2018 wedding, suspecting she saw royal life as a “stepping stone to fame and fortune.” This aligns with Lady Elizabeth Anson’s reported comments to Sally Bedell Smith, where Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin expressed similar apprehensions, noting the monarch’s dismay at protocol breaches. William, tasked with safeguarding the monarchy’s image, may have internalized these concerns, viewing Meghan’s departure and subsequent media ventures—culminating in the 2021 Oprah interview—as validation of his fears.

The tension escalated with Meghan’s alleged “bullying” of staff, a claim from Jason Knauf, William’s Earthshot Prize CEO, in 2018. Though unproven, it reportedly deepened William’s wariness, especially as Harry defended Meghan, widening the brothers’ rift. Recent reports of William’s readiness to strip Harry and Meghan of their titles upon becoming king—contrasting with Charles’s reluctance—suggest a personal stake in distancing himself from her influence. This narrative gained traction after Meghan’s As Ever brand launched products on Princess Diana’s birthday, an act William reportedly saw as a deliberate provocation, per a palace insider’s comments to royal commentator Kinsey Schofield.

Family Dynamics and Public Perception

William’s relationship with Harry remains complex, with recent July 2025 peace talks between Harry’s aides and King Charles’s team hinting at reconciliation efforts—efforts William reportedly approached with “extreme caution,” per a Daily Mail source. Yet, Meghan’s exclusion from these discussions underscores her status as a focal point of contention. Kate Middleton, often seen as a mediator, has maintained a neutral public stance, but her absence of warm exchanges with Meghan—evident at the 2018 Wimbledon event—suggests alignment with William’s views.

Public reaction has been polarized. #WilliamVsMeghan trends on X with 12 million views, with supporters praising William’s “duty-first” attitude, while Meghan’s advocates argue his behavior reflects prejudice against her outsider status. Fans note William’s protective stance toward Kate, contrasting with his coldness toward Meghan, as seen in the 2018 Commonwealth service footage where he guided Kate away from Meghan during a group walk. Critics, however, see it as petty, with one X post calling it “a king’s grudge against a duchess.”

The Human Impact and Royal Stakes

The Del Brocco family’s recent tragedy in Salou, where children drowned, has indirectly amplified this story, as royal watchers contrast William’s public warmth toward grieving families—like his 2022 visit to flood victims—with his reserve toward Meghan. For the Sussexes, the tension has fueled their narrative of being ostracized, with Harry’s July 2025 BBC interview hinting at familial strain. Meghan, now focusing on Archewell, has remained silent, but her absence from UK events since 2022 speaks volumes.

William’s stance carries stakes for the monarchy. As future king, his disapproval could shape Harry and Meghan’s royal status, with insiders suggesting a title review if they “step out of line again.” The July 2025 meeting’s leak, which frustrated the Sussexes per The Telegraph, may reflect William’s influence, reinforcing his cautious approach. Yet, his silence on the matter—unlike Charles’s openness—leaves his true feelings toward Harry ambiguous, focusing scrutiny on Meghan.

A Turning Point or Enduring Divide?

As of August 1, 2025, William’s public interactions with Meghan remain a litmus test for royal unity. The July peace talks offer a potential thaw, but his demeanor suggests Meghan remains a barrier. If reconciliation progresses, her role will be pivotal—either as a healed rift or a persistent wedge. For now, the prince’s actions speak louder than words, revealing a disdain that could define the monarchy’s future.

This saga, rooted in public gestures and private grudges, ensures William and Meghan’s dynamic remains a royal drama that captivates and divides.