Prince Harry has been candid about the impact of losing close relationships in his life. While the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, remains a profound wound, there’s another friendship that weighs heavily on his heart: his bond with Kate Middleton.

A Warm and Uncomplicated Relationship

According to royal expert Tom Quinn, Prince Harry deeply regrets drifting away from Kate Middleton. Their friendship was characterized by warmth and simplicity, and Harry often reminisces about the days when they were close. “Losing Kate was Harry’s second great loss after losing his mother,” Quinn revealed to The Mirror.

The Sister He Never Had

Prince Harry once described Kate as “the sister I never had.” Their bond transcended mere friendship; it was a familial connection that brought comfort and understanding. Kate’s presence in his life was akin to having a sister—one who shared his joys and sorrows, secrets and laughter.

Torn Between Loyalty and Regret

Harry finds himself torn between loyalty to his wife, Meghan Markle, and regret over the loss of Kate’s friendship. The Duchess of Sussex, however, has a different perspective. Meghan doesn’t feel guilty about Kate; instead, she believes that Kate should have been the one person in the royal family to support her against every difficulty. Meghan, herself an outsider, couldn’t understand why Kate consistently towed the royal line rather than standing by her side.

Meghan’s Walls and Kate’s Illness

Despite Meghan’s emotional walls when it comes to Kate, the news of Kate’s cancer diagnosis hit her hard. The Duchess of Sussex acknowledges that the relationship has become toxic, but she still wishes for reconciliation. Kate’s illness has been a shock, and Meghan grapples with the desire to mend bridges while maintaining her stance that Kate should apologize for past actions.

The Distance Continues

In 2020, Harry and Meghan distanced themselves from Kate and Prince William when they stepped down from their royal duties. The family members have yet to reunite, leaving Kate to face her illness without their direct support. Kate confirmed her diagnosis after being hospitalized for abdominal surgery, assuring everyone that she is undergoing treatment and will be okay.