AceShowbiz - Prince Harry has always been close with sister-in-law Kate Middleton, and it appears that the Duchess of Cambridge plays a big part in Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship. Before going further with his relationship with the former "Suits" actress, the Prince reportedly wanted an approval from Kate on Meghan.

Royal expert Katie Nicholl reveals in Grazia UK, "Harry and Kate are very close, she’s been like a mentor to him and he wanted her seal of approval." She goes on saying that a source shared to her that "Kate is different to Meghan in many ways, but she has made great strides to help Meghan settle in."

Harry introduced his then-girlfriend Meghan to Kate back in November 2016, roughly four months after the pair started dating. Nicholl adds that Meghan gifted Kate a journal as an early 35th birthday present when the former went to see Harry again in January.

Following the engagement announcement between Harry and Meghan in November last year, Kate expressed her excitement over the news. "William and I are absolutely thrilled. It's such exciting news. It's a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment," she shared.

Now that Meghan is officially a member of British royal family, she has formed a "blossoming" friendship with Kate. "Kate has gone out of her way to be friendly to Meghan, and Meghan has been very grateful for that," according to Nicholl's source. Instead of feeling threatened by Meghan's presence, Kate allegedly "is thrilled that the spotlight isn't on her at a time when she wants to enjoy being with her family and remain relatively low-key."

Harry and Kate's close bond grows stronger after the latter married his brother Prince William in 2011. The mother of three allegedly "helped fill" the gap in Harry's life that was left by his late mother Princess Diana. "When she and William got engaged, Harry called her the big sister he never had. He often pops into their apartment at Kensington Palace, where she cooks him a meal--roast chicken is reportedly a particular favorite," read a report in a 2017 Newsweek feature on the newly-minted Duke of Sussex.