'Very different characters': Insiders reveal the truth behind Duchess Kate and Meghan's tension

Since Meghan Markle joined the royal family back in May, tensions have run high in the royal family behind closed doors.

Sources close to the palace insist that said tension is only natural, though, as "wives do change the dynamic" and Prince William and Prince Harry "both have very strong wives."

"If you bring two independent-minded women from the real world into the royal world, they are going to want to have an impact," an insider explained to People. "An ordinary woman is not going to get to become a princess. There are necessary strength of character and ambition and single-mindedness. It takes someone really strong. That is Kate and Meghan."

Indeed, though Duchess Meghan, 37, and Duchess Kate, 36, "are very different characters" and have dueling approaches to life as a royal, they both intend on making an impact with their platform.

Of course, Middleton has many more years of experience as part of the British royal family. She married William back in 2011 and has since established herself as a future queen who abides by the strict rules of the royal family, so much so that critics wish she would tow the line a bit more.

By contrast, former "Suits" actress Meghan Markle has a history of being an outspoken feminist who advocates for causes and issues that she believes in, which can oftentimes conflict with established royals of the palace.

"The palace is a magical place, and it is also a place where all you hear is 'no, no, no," a royal source told People, noting that veteran royal aides "might not be used to the 'say-it-as-you-see-it' American mentality" that Meghan has adopted all her life.

Since marrying Harry back in May, Meghan has lost two royal aides -- though news that one will leave her once she gives birth in the spring was mischaracterized as scandalous, as it was always the plan for her to leave her post at that time. Regardless, it points to Meghan's strong-willed nature and willingness to push back against the constraints of her new life.

"The most difficult job in the royal family is to work with Meghan's ambitions and make them realizable," another source told People. "She will get frustrated if she is told, 'You can't do this or can't do that.'"

On the flip side, Kate "has maneuvered herself in a different way, but she is still strong."

Adding fuel to the fire is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's impending move away from Kensington Palace, where Kate and Will live with their three young children, to Frogmore Cottage as they prepare to welcome their first child next year.

While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge "have created their own nest" and "are confident in what they're doing," another family friend says that the separation "will be the best thing for all of them."

"Like Meghan and Kate, Harry and William have totally different roles," the friend explained. "But the brothers will always come together because they are Diana's sons."