Jump directly to the content

MEGHAN Markle and Prince were ABSENT from Kate Middleton's intimate birthday celebrations last week as simmering tensions between the two Duchesses continue.

Kate celebrated her 37th birthday with close pals at her and husband Prince William's plush Norfolk pile Anmer Hall near Sandringham last Sunday.

 Kate Middleton celebrated her birthday without Meghan Markle last week amid an ongoing feud between the pair (library image)
5
Kate Middleton celebrated her birthday without Meghan Markle last week amid an ongoing feud between the pair (library image)Credit: PA:Press Association

And despite the lavish manor house boasting ten bedrooms - providing ample room for guests - Harry and Meghan were not in attendance, according to the .

It is not clear if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited - or had turned it down.

But among Kate's close-knit set of pals who could make the meal was old schoolmate Emilia Jardine-Paterson.

She played hockey with Kate when they were together at Marlborough College and is a godmother to Prince George.

 Kate Middleton and Prince William hosted gusts at the lavish Anmer Hall in Norfolk on Sunday
5
Kate Middleton and Prince William hosted gusts at the lavish Anmer Hall in Norfolk on SundayCredit: Getty - Contributor
Kate Middleton waited until Meghan Markle left before going on Christmas hunt

Interior designer Emilia knows the Royal couple well - having taken Kate on a girls trip to Ibiza when she and Wills briefly split in 2007.

Her husband David - who also attended the birthday party - was at Eton with Prince William.

And Laura Meade, Princess Charlotte's godmother and one of Kate's closest friends, made the party alongside husband James.

Sophie Carter, another Norfolk friend, and her husband Robert also attended the meal - reported to be a Sunday roast.

Princess Charlotte and Prince George were pages at the couple's wedding last September.

 Emilia Jardine-Paterson and husband David were at the party (file image)
5
Emilia Jardine-Paterson and husband David were at the party (file image)Credit: AFP
 Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle at Christmas. There has been ongoing tension between the Duchesses
5
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle at Christmas. There has been ongoing tension between the Duchesses
Kate Middleton ‘threatened’ by ‘young, gorgeous’ Meghan Markle, Carole Malone claims in Channel 5 documentary

The revelation that Meghan and Harry were not in attendance comes it emerged the Duchess of Sussex's female bodyguard has quit after less than a year.

The cop, who has never been named for security reasons, is her third close aide to leave in a little over two months.

She had replaced Sgt Bill Renshaw, Harry’s long-standing head of security, who retired after more than 30 years in the force.

But she has now quit after being in the job for only about six months, according to The Sunday Times.

 The Royal couples put on a united front at Christmas time as rumours of their rift swirled
5
The Royal couples put on a united front at Christmas time as rumours of their rift swirledCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The couple’s private secretary Samantha Cohen, 49, was the first to jump ship when she announced she was going in November.

In December, Meghan’s personal assistant Melissa Touabti also announced she was quitting after just six months.

Meghan and her husband Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are due to move into Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle ahead of the birth of their first child.

Kate Middleton won’t be a Godmother to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby so who will be?

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.


Topics