The Duchess of Cambridge is said to be feeling "saddened, disappointed and hurt" after Meghan Markle told Oprah it was Kate that had made her cry in the lead up to her royal wedding.

Markle claimed that Kensington Palace refused to clear up a story that involved her and Kate Middleton and called it the "beginning of a real character assassination".

"The narrative with Kate, which didn't happen, that's when everything changed," the Duchess of Sussex told Oprah.

Markle also said it was Middleton who made her cry during the bridesmaid dress fittings, despite reports claiming it was the opposite.

"She was upset about something, she apologised, she owned it," Meghan said.

"She was upset about something, about the flower girl dresses and it made me cry and it really hurt my feelings."

Middleton later sent flowers to apologise to Markle, but it was too late.

Royal commentator Katie Nicholl said that the whole experience has been "mortifying" for the royal family, Middleton included.

"This has been a very hard few days for Kate," Nicholl told the UK's OK magazine.

"Behind closed doors, she has been saddened, disappointed and hurt."

Nicholl believes there are "different versions of the bridesmaid story, not just the one Meghan discussed".

"Kate felt it was all sorted, so to have it brought up again was mortifying."