This is awkward. Camilla Parker Bowles and Kate Middleton seemingly get along at royal events today, however, according to the book, Game of Crowns: Elizabeth, Camilla, Kate, and the Throne, Prince Charles‘ wife allegedly didn’t want Prince William to marry a “pretty but dim” Kate because of her “lowly” roots.

Author Christopher Andersen — who has published 34 books, is known for his biographies, and is a former contributing editor to Time magazine — claimed in the hardcover that the two didn’t have a great relationship at first. He referred to Camilla — who wed Charles in the years following Princess Diana‘s death — the “Black Queen,” and Kate as the “White Queen.”

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He said that their rift got so bad that Camilla tried to have Charles convince William not to marry the Duchess of Cambridge. On top of that, she was reportedly jealous of Kate’s popularity.

“Young, gracious, smart, and stunning, the White Queen, known familiarly as just plain Kate, captured the world’s imagination even before she could officially lay claim to her royal lover’s heart,” the book reads. “Although she lacked both the pedigree and the experience of the Black Queen, she also proved to be inordinately patient — and a cunning survivor of royal dramas and court intrigue.”

Anderson added, “By marrying her Prince Charming and bearing two heirs, the White Queen cast the fate of the monarchy far into the future — perhaps as far as the next century.

He concluded, “Beneath the surface, tensions mounted as the two queens-in-waiting protected the interests of their kings — the lackluster, benighted Prince of Wales and his wildly popular son — and their competing courts vied for the love of the people and the power that comes with it.”

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Despite these rumors, William’s younger brother, Prince Harry, allegedly spoke out once defending their stepmother. “To be honest, she’s always been very close to me and William. She’s not a wicked stepmother. Look at the position she’s coming into. Don’t feel sorry for me and William, feel sorry for her,” he said years ago, according to the UK’s Express

He continued, “She’s a wonderful woman and she’s made our father very, very happy which is the most important thing. William and I love her to bits.” We wonder if Kate feels the same!

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