RAGING Princess Kate hit back at Meghan Markle by pushing for a “tough response” to the Sussexes’ bombshell Oprah interview, an insider has claimed.

The Sussexes’ ‘truth bombs’ sent shock waves across the globe and sparked a tense debate within Buckingham Palace, sources told the Times.

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While drafting their response, one insider alleged it was Kate who put pressure on staff to include the famous “recollections may vary” line.

The initial statement written by Palace officials is understood to have been “much milder” – focusing on Harry and Meghan being “much loved members of the family”.

But Kate felt “history will judge this statement” and wanted the Firm to take a stronger stance.

Asource told The Times: “It had a much milder version. The debate was, do you rise entirely above it and offer the olive branch of [Harry and Meghan being] ‘much loved members of the family’? Or is there some moment when you have to intervene and offer a view?”

According to the insider, Prince William wanted the statement “toughened up” and Kate was hot on his heels.

The royal mum of three supported her husband’s decision and said the controversial statement must be included, claimed this source.

It was reportedly crafted by Jean-Christophe Gray, a private secretary of just a couple of weeks for Prince William.

But, the insider explained two senior officials did not want the phrase added into the draft for fear of perpetuating rivalry with Harry and Meghan.

However, a second source has alleged: “It was Kate who clearly made the point, ‘History will judge this statement and unless this phrase or a phrase like it is included, everything that they have said will be taken as true.’”

The anonymous insider felt the 41-year-old was “steelier” than she appears, they added: “She does not get as much credit as she should, because she is so subtle about it.

“She is playing the long game. She has always got her eye on, ‘This is my life and my historic path and I am going to be the Queen one day.’”

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

The final draft was approved by the late Queen at Buckingham palace within a few hours.

Her Majesty had released the statement almost two days after the couple’s explosive interview and said the Royal Family took the allegations “very seriously”.

Her unprecedented response came after the tell-all Oprah chat that saw Meghan break down in tears as she and Harry revealed the pressures they faced within the Firm.

A statement from the palace said: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years  have been for Harry and Meghan. 

“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning.  Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. 

“Harry, Meghan  and Archie will always be much loved family members.”

This comes as the Sussexes’ eviction from Frogmore Cottage has left royal fans and experts wondering where they will stay next time they visit the UK.

Harry and Meghan yesterday finally cleared out of the Windsor royal home and returned the keys to King Charles.

Five-bed, Grade II-listed Frogmore — given a £2.4million makeover by the Sussexes — is now set to be rented out.

Harry and Meghan lived at the cottage, a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth, for just six months.

Earlier this year, The Sun revealed the Sussexes were served with an eviction notice days after Harry’s book Spare was released.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam told The Sun: “I don’t think it’s any coincidence that they were told to vacate as soon as Spare came out.”

Plus, Prince Harry is set to lose a major royal role following the eviction, an expert has revealed.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun: “Losing their UK home without a replacement is a huge deal.

“The most important aspect as far as Harry is concerned is that it means he can no longer act as a counsellor of state.

“That’s hugely important because in theory he had the right, in the event of the king being incapacitated, to do this.

“Although he is no longer a working royal he still had this right – and by not having a UK residence he has now thrown this opportunity away.”

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