Despite sharing eerily similar backgrounds, Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie were reportedly never really close. And now, sources told RadarOnline that the distance between them has only grown wider amid the fallout surrounding Eugenie’s father, ex-Prince Andrew’s, close ties with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“Over the past few years, Kate has become extremely selective about the people she allows into her trusted inner circle,” one source explained. “After all the turmoil surrounding Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal life and with the scandal connected to Eugenie’s father, Andrew, there’s been a much stronger emphasis on loyalty, discretion, and protecting the stability of the Wales household.”

The source noted that since Eugenie is allegedly “sympathetic” toward Andrew and “one of the few family members still publicly close to Harry,” Kate feels hesitant to spend time with her.

“That inevitably makes relationships more complicated because, whether fair or not, there’s always an underlying concern about where loyalties ultimately lie,” the insider noted. “Kate has become much more guarded since the Sussex fallout, and that has definitely changed the dynamic with Eugenie.”

Still, there wasn’t a “dramatic falling out or major confrontation behind closed doors” between Kate and Eugenie—rather, there’s just a “growing emotional and social distance between them because they now occupy very different spaces within the Royal Family and have very different priorities.”

“Kate’s entire focus is on supporting William, safeguarding the future of the monarchy, and maintaining a sense of discipline and unity around the core working royals,” the insider said. “She’s become incredibly protective of that environment.”

This follows reports alleging Prince William is considering cutting ties with Eugenie and her sister, Princess Beatrice, amid their parents’ controversy.

“There is a real concern that Prince William wants their heads on the chopping block as part of a harder line on which royals should remain publicly associated with the institution,” a source told RadarOnline in March 2026. “Beatrice and Eugenie feel like they are living in horrific limbo. They have spent years carefully building respectable private lives, yet the fallout from their parents’ controversies keeps circling back to them.”

William is also setting clear boundaries regarding Eugenie’s third pregnancy, which she announced in May 2026. An insider spoke with Rob Shuter for his Naughty But Nice Substack and revealed that William will not attend a future christening for the baby if Andrew plans on making an appearance. “William will not be in the same room as Andrew. Not for this, not for anything,” they claimed. “If Andrew is there, William won’t be. It’s that clear.”

Kate Middleton’s Italian skills impress locals. So does her new name.

The British royal has embarked on a two-day trip to Reggio Emilia, marking her first official overseas visit since undergoing cancer treatment.

The Princess of Wales’s first solo overseas trip since completing cancer treatment has turned into an unexpected showcase of her Italian skills.

During a visit to Reggio Emilia near Bologna on Wednesday and Thursday, the royal communicated comfortably with supporters — and introduced herself to children she met as “Caterina,” the Italian version of Catherine. Hello! Magazine shared a nice clip of Kate speaking Italian on Instagram.

The princess spent her year off before college in Florence, studying art history, prior to attending the University of St Andrews in Scotland — where she met Prince William. It’s during this time that she learned Italian and is practicing it again while in the country this week. On Wednesday, Roberta Marzi, a teacher, told the Times that Kate’s Italian was “perfect” and added, “She spoke clearly.”

Wednesday saw the royal greet over 3,000 well-wishers, including children from two preschools. She displayed her natural ability to connect with strangers by conversing in their native language at various engagements, hugging children and members of the public, and cooing at a baby, held over the barricades by its mother.

On Thursday, Kate displayed more of her own motherly instincts — she has three children of her own, after all — during a tour of a pioneering preschool.

Kate wore a stone-colored, pleated midi skirt for the event, paired with a Blazé Milano jacket and a bracelet from Milan-based brand Atelier Molayem.

On Wednesday, the royal wore a blue pantsuit by London-based designer Edeline Lee but made from fabrics woven in Italy — a subtle reminder of the reputation Kate’s built by honoring countries she’s visiting through her fashion choices. The pantsuit silhouette is one she’s turned to numerous times in recent years for work trips.

The British royal is in Italy in support of her early childhood education campaign. It’s something she’s very passionate about — the royal founded The Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 to commission research for and raise awareness of how crucial the early years are in a child’s life.

A royal aide said the tour marked a “huge moment” for the royal. “Undoubtedly this is a huge moment for the princess. There will be many highlights of 2026, but this being her first official international visit post her recovery, this is a really significant moment for her,” the aide said.

When was Kate’s last trip abroad?

Kate at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., in 2022.
(Samir Hussein/Pool via Getty Images)