- Kate Middleton was reportedly surprised to receive gifts from
Meghan Markle andPrince Harry for her birthday on January 9. - An anonymous source told US Weekly that Middleton "wasn't expecting anything from the couple."
- There was reportedly tension between the Sussexes and the Cambridges for some time, with Harry confirming that he and Prince William were "on different paths" in 2019.
- Recent reports suggest that the brothers have been back in touch since Markle and Harry relocated to California last year.
The Duchess of Cambridge was surprised to receive gifts from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for her 39th birthday on January 9, according to a report in US Weekly.
The publication reports that Kate Middleton spoke with her parents and Queen Elizabeth II on the special day, before opening a card and a selection of gifts sent by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
"It was a nice surprise," an anonymous source told the publication. "Kate wasn't expecting anything from the couple."
The source didn't specify why it was a surprise to the royal. However, there has reportedly been tension between the Sussexes and the Cambridge family ever since Markle and Harry shared plans to move out of their shared Kensington Palace home in 2018.
Harry confirmed rumors of a rift between himself and Prince William during an ITV documentary filmed in October 2019. In the documentary, which was filmed during the couple's royal tour of South Africa, Harry said he and his brother were "on different paths."
"Part of this role and part of this job, this family, being under the pressure that it's under, inevitably stuff happens. But look, we're brothers, we'll always be brothers. We're certainly on different paths at the moment but I'll always be there for him and as I know he'll always be there for me," the duke said.
Markle, Harry, Middleton, and William were last photographed together at the Commonwealth Day service at London's Westminster Abbey in March 2020.
Although the couples were seen standing and later seated next to each other during the ceremony, photos and video footage from the event shows they did not acknowledge each other or attempt to make conversation.
Reports suggest the relationship between the two couples has improved since Harry and Markle relocated to California last year, with Vanity Fair royal correspondent Katie Nicholl previously telling Entertainment Tonight that the brothers had been in touch via video call.
Kensington Palace declined to comment when contacted by Insider.
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- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly hope 2021 will be a 'time of healing' for the royal family