Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a very tense relationship with the Royal Family, but one relationship expert believes it didn’t have to turn out this way

It’s safe to say Meghan Markle is not close with the Royal Family, but one expert believes there was one moment that could have led to a “strong” family bond.

The Duchess of Sussex joined The Firm when she started dating Prince Harry and they tied the knot surrounded by friends and family back in 2018. Just two years later, the couple shocked the world when they announced their decision to step down as senior royals.

Since then, Harry and Meghan have become estranged from the Royal Family as they’ve issued a number of attacks against The Firm. Relationship expert Louella Alderson has said it’s unlikely this relationship will be fixed, but suggested there was a point when Meghan could have connected with her in-laws on a “deeper level”.

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READ MORE: Prince Harry’s telling four-word response when asked ‘are you happy to be home’

Meghan Markle could have been close to the Royal Family (
Image:
Getty Images)
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Louella said King Charles’ offer to walk Meghan down the aisle on her wedding day was an olive branch from the monarch. She said: “It’s unlikely that Meghan ever had a close relationship with members of the Royal Family since she started dating Prince Harry.

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“Developing a close bond with family members takes time, effort and a genuine connection. Without this investment in a relationship, it’s hard to build a strong and positive bond. If there were early signs of both parties not connecting on a deeper level, it’s possible that their relationship would never be a close one.

“Despite this, there were some moments that showed the potential for a close family relationship between Meghan and the Royals. One such moment was when Prince Charles offered to walk Meghan down the aisle on her wedding day instead of her father, who wasn’t invited.”

King Charles walked Meghan down the aisle (
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Thomas Markle had been scheduled to give his daughter away at her wedding to Harry, but things changed when Thomas became the centre of a scandal when he was caught staging paparazzi snaps of himself preparing for the wedding in exchange for payment. Thomas then confirmed he would not attend the wedding after the fallout from the scandal left him looking “stupid and hammy”.

The Palace, however, went on to confirm that the real reason behind Thomas not attending his daughter’s wedding was due to health issues. Charles then stepped in to give Meghan away.

Louella said: “It’s unlikely that this gesture was for show but more a genuine attempt from King Charles to be supportive and welcoming of his new daughter-in-law. There has been so much that has happened between Prince Harry, Meghan and the Royal Family since the wedding that has strained their relationship. This is most likely where any potential for a close family relationship came to an end.”

Louella Alderson is a relationship expert who spoke to The Mirror on behalf of the So Syncd dating app.

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