As we reflect on the last two years, it’s been a whirlwind of events—a seemingly endless series of TV episodes played out in real life, punctuated by court cases, a near-catastrophic car chase, a royal coronation, and heartbreaking battles with cancer.

Amidst these historical moments, one significant occurrence has been largely overlooked: the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II might have marked the final public appearance of the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex together.

Two years ago, many relationships shifted and evolved, but the dynamic between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle remains one of the most discussed and scrutinized.

The somber atmosphere of the Queen’s funeral may well be remembered as the last time these two women shared a public space, raising questions about when, or if, they might meet again.

The only conceivable future scenario for a similar gathering could be the funeral of King Charles III. However, the prospect seems unlikely given the royal family’s past treatment of Prince Harry. At the Queen’s funeral, Harry found himself seated in the second row, and at his father’s coronation, he was relegated to the third row. Such dynamics cast doubt on where he would be placed during another dark day in royal history.

In recent developments, the Prince and Princess of Wales have made a move that could further entrench the rift: they lodged an initial bid for a US trademark focusing on mental health projects. This move comes as a surprise to Meghan Markle, who reportedly felt shocked to learn that the Waleses were planning to expand their work into American territory. While they have made a few trips to the US, Meghan viewed this as a potential encroachment on her established domain.

Sources close to the palace describe the trademarking effort as mere “internal housekeeping,” but it has been interpreted as a positive sign for Catherine’s path to recovery, following the turmoil that has surrounded her since July 2019. That year was also notable for being the last time Catherine and Meghan were photographed together in what seemed a carefully curated show of camaraderie.

Rumors of disharmony between the two have persisted, notably following claims that Meghan had made Catherine cry ahead of her wedding to Harry. Their public interactions since then have been few and fraught, culminating in their last meaningful engagement during the Commonwealth Day service in March 2020, where they reportedly did not speak to one another at all.

Royal events are typically marked by grandeur and precision, yet even these polished occasions can reveal awkward moments. One such instance occurred during the late Queen’s committal service when Prince William had to guide his family to their seats. As he directed Prince George to pause, Catherine, seemingly unaware, attempted to walk down the aisle, only to be reminded by William to wait. In a brief and hesitant gesture, she stepped aside to let Meghan through, an act that drew attention amidst the already tense atmosphere.

King Charles III has reportedly become more cautious about rebuilding relationships with Harry, who made a brief return to the UK for a charity event this week.

As the rift deepens, it seems the family is also feeling the strain. King Charles III has reportedly become more cautious about rebuilding relationships with Harry, who made a brief return to the UK for a charity event this week. Coinciding with Harry’s presence, William shared an emotional message from his wife, underscoring the continuing complexities within the royal family.

As the royal saga continues to unfold, the question remains: will there ever be a reconciliation between the two duchesses, or has the curtain fallen on their public relationship for good? Only time will tell, but the royal family’s future seems poised to remain as dramatic as the last two years.