Royal commentator Neil Sean claimed the Duchess of Cambridge confided in her younger brother James Middleton. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mr Sean said: "There was one person that she could truly turn to, confide in, and be assured that it would go no further.

       "The person that Kate confided in to such a degree that he has become her rock, is none other than her brother, James Middleton.

       "Now James has had a chequered past himself, he's had a few businesses that haven't taken off, but he's marched forward.

       "He's been very open about his own personal struggles, he got married this year, and as you can see, he has a great affection for animals who he says do a lot to help and assist people with mental health issues."

       The Middletons are known to be a close-knit family.

       As well as her brother James, Kate has younger sister Pippa Matthews.

       Mr Neil's comments come after the Duchess of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey during her and Harry's bombshell interview that Kate made her cry ahead of her royal wedding.

       Meghan's claim followed previous reports that it was the other way round.

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       Meanwhile, Harry laid bare his rift with his older brother Prince William.

       He said: "You know, as I've said before, I love William to bits. He's my brother.

       "We've been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience.

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       "But, you know, we're on different paths.

       "The relationship is space, at the moment. Time heals all things, hopefully."

       Harry and Meghan are living in California after quitting royal duties in March 2020.

       The couple have settled into their Montecito home with son Archie and daughter Lili, who was born in June.

       The pair made a series of explosive claims about the monarchy in their controversial interview in March.

       Harry has returned to the UK twice since moving across the pond - once for Prince Philip's funeral in April and again for the unveiling of a Princess Diana statue in July.