‘You Can’t Have It Both Ways’: Kate Middleton Hits ‘Breaking Point’ Over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘Performative’ Return
Kate Middleton has reportedly reached her “breaking point” with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after their recent visit to Nottingham. A source told Closer that Middleton feels the Sussexes expect everyone to forget their family troubles.
The insider claimed Middleton had spent years biting her tongue. She had also been putting Prince William’s feelings first. Now, they said, she’s finding it harder to stay quiet.
“What really gets to Kate is the idea that Harry and Meghan can come back to Britain, start doing all these performative appearances and somehow expect everybody to forget what’s happened – so they can just slip back into life in the UK when it suits them. She feels they’ve gone too far,” the source said.
Middleton reportedly doesn’t want a private chat with the Sussexes. According to the source, she’s worried they might repeat her words or twist them later. So, she reportedly wants someone outside the family drama to pass on her message.
“The message Kate wants Meghan to hear could be very simple – you can’t have it both ways. You can’t publicly criticize the family, walk away from royal responsibilities and then expect everybody to welcome you back without addressing what’s happened,” the insider added.
The source continued that Middleton, however, hasn’t ruled out reconciliation. Harry and Markle returned to the U.K. in August 2026 after six years in California. They brought their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, too. But they haven’t returned to official royal duties.
On October 15, the couple visited Nottingham for their first joint public appearance in Britain since returning. Previously, they made their first public appearance there in December 2017, shortly after announcing their engagement. During their latest visit, Harry and Markle met local charities and community groups, including Epic Partners.
Harry’s connection with the organization dates back to 2013, when he was still a working royal. Crowds gathered to see the couple. Harry told a BBC reporter, “It’s great to be back. Wonderful and great to be back in Nottingham too.” Markle described the visit to Himmah as “really, really meaningful.”
Their return also came after a letter was issued on behalf of King Charles III on September 7. It reaffirmed that Harry and Markle remain non-working royals. The letter also stated that the couple “are no longer working Members of The Royal Family.” Their HRH styles remain in abeyance and are not used.
They carry out charitable work privately. A Sussex spokesperson later told the BBC that the couple was “a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.” The Sussexes walked away from royal duties in 2020. Since then, they’ve shared their side of the story through the Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, Harry’s memoir Spare, and their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Meanwhile, William has also reportedly been unhappy with Harry and Markle’s recent appearances in Nottingham. According to the New Idea source, “William could not believe what he was seeing. It was the final straw for him.” The insider reportedly felt the couple’s appearances looked too much like official royal engagements.
The Prince of Wales is reportedly still hurt by Harry, and a reconciliation doesn’t look likely anytime soon. A source told the Daily Mirror, “There isn’t a world right now where the Prince of Wales can imagine repairing the relationship with his brother.”
