Rumours of a feud between Meghan and Kate started in late 2018, after the Sussexes announced their decision to move out of the grounds of Kensington Palace to live at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. However, social media platforms played a “significant role” in exacerbating the speculated tensions between the Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge, Anthony Burr, founder at Burr Media, said. 

He told Express.co.uk: “Undoubtedly, social media has played a significant role in pitting Meghan against Kate in a social media war.

“We were seeing a ‘team Meghan vs team Kate’ on social media channels and also on media websites.”

Mr Burr believes these close-knit groups expanded across the internet, whenever either Kate or Meghan were mentioned, to defend their idols.

He said: “These remarks from the ‘haters’ were not just about Meghan and Kate – but these ‘haters’ then started having online and open vitriolic dialogue to each other, simply because one supported Kate whilst the other supported Meghan.” 

In January, it was revealed Kensington Palace staff were forced to spend hours each week moderating sexist and racist comments directed at, or concerning, the Duchesses.

The remarks were either addressing Meghan and Kate or targeting fans of rival teams.

In March, the Royal Family issued new social media guidelines in a bid to curb the abuse and spot the online trolls.

But this move didn’t entirely eradicate the negativity against Kate and Meghan from online platforms. 

Mr Burr continued: “However, we are still seeing negativity and this will continue as long as social media bosses continue to lag behind and not diligently monitor its user content.”

Social media have also played a role in magnifying the criticism against Meghan, Mr Burr said.

Both Meghan and Kate were criticised upon joining the Royal Family by marrying their princes.

But, as social media weren’t used by many when Kate joined the royals, the criticism and “animosity towards Meghan” is “exacerbated” by these platforms in a way the Duchess of Cambridge didn’t experience, Mr Burr said. 

He added: “Would they [social media users] say it to the faces of the people?

“No way, and that’s the difference nowadays compared to when Kate came along.

“Yes people were criticising her, but it was in conversations at parties and over coffee and not online.

“There were simply no social media platforms for this when Kate and Wills began dating in 2003.”

Mr Burr added another factor that has contributed to fuel the animosity against Meghan, is the Duchess’ different background when compared to Kate. 

Meghan has publicly revealed she has “struggled” with the public scrutiny through the early stage of her marriage, pregnancy and the first months as a mother.

In an emotional interview, part of the ITV documentary to be aired on Sunday Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, the Duchess said, after being asked about the “impact on your physical and mental health of all the pressure that you clearly feel under”: “I would say…look any woman, especially when they are pregnant, you are really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging.

“And then when you have a newborn, you know?

“And especially as a woman it’s really, it’s really a lot. 

“So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mum or trying to be a newlywed it’s…

“Well, I guess, and also thank you for asking, but not many people have asked if I’m ok, but it’s a very real thing to be faint through behind the scenes.”

Meghan is then asked by broadcaster Tom Bradby, who filmed the documentary: “And the answer is, would it be fair to say, not really ok?

“As in, it’s really been a struggle?”

To which Meghan simply answers, fighting back tears, “yes”.

The documentary is set to cover not only the “struggles” of the family but also their charitable works and royal tour to Africa.      

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