Kate Middleton speaks out publicly for the first time about Meghan Markle following rift rumours

Behind the public smiles and the 'Fab Four' nickname, rumours have been swirling that Kate Middleton and her sister-in-law Meghan Markle "don't really get on".

While the royal family have refused to comment on the whispers, the Duchess of Cambridge has finally spoken out about the former actress and her comments seem to have shut down talk of the supposed feud.

During a visit to Leicester, to remember Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and the four others who died when their helicopter crashed outside the club's King Power stadium last month, Kate revealed she thinks the Duchess of Sussex's pregnancy is "really special".

When asked if she is "excited for Meghan and her new baby", the 36-year-old royal replied:

"Yes, absolutely. It's such a special time to have all the kiddies… and a cousin for George and Charlotte as well, and Louis. So it will be really special."

The update comes just a day after royal sources reported that Kate was left in tears over an altercation during Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting ahead of Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry.

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During the Leicester visit, Kate also revealed her and husband Prince William's three children, Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, three, and seven-month-old Prince Louis are feeling "excited" about the festive season.

She said: "They're doing well, they're getting so excited for Christmas time."

She added, "They've started all their Christmas songs and Christmas trees are going up and all that.

"And Louis is getting bigger. It's been seven months now - I can't believe it, he's a big boy."