Royals Kate Middleton Has Been 'Really Upset' About Estrangement from Harry and Meghan, Says Insider Prince Harry and Meghan's departure from their roles as senior working royals "has been hugely stressful" on Kate and Prince William By Simon Perry, Monique Jessen, and Stephanie Petit Stephanie Petit Stephanie Petit is a Royals Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE. People Editorial Guidelines Published on December 16, 2021 02:41 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate Middleton. Photo: Paul Grover - WPA Pool/Getty Images Kate Middleton and Prince William have supported each other throughout the royal family's ongoing estrangement from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the Sussexes' claims of mistreatment and racism during their time as working royals. Kate has been "really, really upset about it all," one close insider tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story. Adds a friend: "Everything with Harry and Meghan has been hugely stressful, but if anything, it's pulled [her and William] closer together. She was upset about it because [William] was so upset. Seeing her husband so distraught was tough." The topic of Meghan, 40, and Prince Harry, 37, has caused some rare candid moments for the couple. Shortly after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which they revealed there were "concerns and conversations about how dark [Archie's] skin might be when he's born," Prince William told reporters, "We are very much not a racist family." Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Samir Hussein/WireImage Last month, Kate was quick to change the subject during a visit to a school when one of the students asked about Meghan and Harry. "What else?" she promptly responded. For more on PEOPLE's cover story on Kate Middleton and other top stories, listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day. The friend tells PEOPLE: "She's no pushover. She has an inner strength for sure." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! The past year has seen another shift within the royal family as 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth has curtailed some of her public activity amid health concerns. As a result, Kate finds herself closer than ever to the inevitable historic moment when she takes her place as Queen Catherine alongside a King William. She is "more and more impressive as time goes on," says a source close to the royal household. "She is a focused and professional woman."