The relationship between Meghan Markle and Catherine, Princess of Wales, has long been surrounded by speculation, tension and unanswered questions. Although neither woman has publicly offered a full account of what went wrong between them, royal commentators continue to examine the deeper reasons behind their apparent estrangement. One recent theory suggests that the real source of discomfort may not be personal rivalry alone, but the rigid hierarchy that defines life inside the British Royal Family.

Royal commentator Jennie Bond has argued that the difference in status between Meghan and Catherine may have created an imbalance from the beginning. Catherine married Prince William, who is first in line to the British throne, while Meghan married Prince Harry, William’s younger brother. Within the royal system, that distinction matters enormously. Catherine has always held a more senior position, and her importance will increase further when William eventually becomes King.

At that point, Catherine is expected to become Queen Consort, placing her at the very center of the monarchy. Meghan, despite retaining the title Duchess of Sussex, would remain lower in the royal order of precedence. According to Bond, this could create an especially awkward situation if Meghan and Harry return to Britain for major royal ceremonies, family gatherings or official occasions.

The issue that may cause the greatest discomfort is the tradition of curtsying. Under royal protocol, members of the family are expected to show respect to the monarch and the monarch’s consort. This means Meghan may one day be expected to curtsy to Catherine.

For many people, the gesture may seem like a small ceremonial detail. However, in the context of Meghan and Catherine’s reported history, it could carry much greater emotional significance. The act would not simply represent respect for the monarchy. It would also publicly reinforce Catherine’s higher position and Meghan’s place beneath her in the royal structure.

Bond believes this difference in power has always been one of the hidden problems between the two women. Catherine’s future was clearly defined from the moment she married William. She was preparing for a life of increasing responsibility, strict duty and eventual queenship. Meghan entered the institution years later and reportedly struggled with many of its rules, expectations and traditions.

The tension between the sisters-in-law has frequently been linked to an alleged disagreement over bridesmaid dresses before Meghan and Harry’s wedding in 2018. Different versions of the incident have circulated over the years. Some reports claimed Meghan made Catherine cry, while Meghan later said the opposite had happened. The conflicting accounts became a symbol of the wider breakdown in trust between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal household.

Since Harry and Meghan stepped away from senior royal duties in 2020, their relationship with the family has deteriorated further. Interviews, documentaries and Harry’s memoir introduced a series of accusations about royal life, media pressure and private family conflicts. Catherine was mentioned indirectly or directly in several of these accounts, making reconciliation appear increasingly difficult.

Meghan’s attitude toward curtsying also became a major talking point after the release of the Netflix documentary series “Harry & Meghan” in 2022. In one scene, she described the first time she met Queen Elizabeth II. Meghan said Harry had asked whether she knew how to curtsy shortly before the meeting. She claimed she initially believed he was joking because the formality felt unfamiliar to her.

She then recreated the curtsy with an exaggerated, sweeping bow. The moment divided viewers. Some interpreted it as humorous storytelling about an awkward cultural adjustment. Others believed she was mocking both the Queen and a long-established royal tradition. The expression on Harry’s face during the scene also attracted attention, with many viewers suggesting that he appeared uncomfortable.

That moment may explain why royal observers believe Meghan would dislike performing the same gesture for Catherine. To Meghan, curtsying may represent an outdated system that she never fully accepted. To supporters of the monarchy, however, it is simply a sign of respect for the Crown.

The situation becomes even more complicated because Catherine and Meghan are not believed to be in regular contact. Their last major public appearance together came after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022, when they joined William and Harry outside Windsor Castle. Although the four appeared united for the cameras, their body language was heavily analyzed, and reports later suggested that the reunion did little to repair their private relationships.

There is, of course, no proof that Meghan has personally discussed how she would feel about curtsying to Catherine. Bond’s comments are an interpretation rather than a confirmed statement from the Duchess of Sussex. Meghan may also avoid the situation entirely by limiting her attendance at future royal events.

Still, the theory highlights a deeper reality. The monarchy is built on rank, tradition and succession. Personal feelings cannot easily change the rules. When William becomes King, Catherine’s position will be transformed forever. Anyone attending royal events, including Harry and Meghan, would be expected to acknowledge that status.

For Meghan, the most difficult part may not be the physical act of bending her knee. It may be what the gesture symbolizes: Catherine’s rise to the highest female position in the Royal Family and Meghan’s permanent distance from the center of royal power.