How Kate and Meghan's relationship compares to Princess Diana and Fergie's

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave their first TV interview together following their engagement, they gushed about how helpful the Duchess of Cambridge has been in helping the actress prepare for public life.

"Catherine has been absolutely amazing," Prince Harry said in their BBC interview, with the blushing bride-to-be agreeing.

This has led many to compare Kate and Meghan's seemingly close relationship to the sister-in-laws from the previous generation of Royals - Princess Diana and the Duchess of York, Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson.

And it seems the bond between these future in-laws will be an important one as well, according to royal commentator and author of 'My Husband and I' - a book about The Queen and Prince Philip's 70-year marriage - Ingrid Seward.

"Kate can be a massive help with everything from hair and clothes to all the formalities of royal life but, most of all, she can tell Meghan honestly what they [the royal family] are all like," Ingrid tells 9Honey.

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Diana and Fergie had a famously close relationship in the early 80s, with the Princess similarly helping the Duchess with her transition into the family.

"They were very close," Seward says, adding: "Diana introduced Fergie to Andrew and the first time they were in public together he took her to Royal Ascot. 

"Diana was thrilled as at last she had a friend on the inside."

"They did mad things together like stealing the Queen Mum’s Daimler and driving it at breakneck speed around the driveway at Balmoral. They laughed, and Diana needed to laugh."

Fergie was the friend Diana needed on the inside say royal commentators, helping her to laugh. (Image: Getty)

“They were two women in their early 20s, really enjoying each other’s company,” royal photographer Ken Goff told People magazine recently.

The veteran cameraman who saw the young royals in action on a number of occasions says their close bond was vital as the duo navigated the rules, regulations, up and downs of the spotlight and the monarchy.

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However, Seward tells 9Honey there was an inevitable fallout between the pair, which left them not speaking to each other, right up until Diana died.

"They had a plan to leave their husbands at the same time. Fergie did, and Diana got cold feet and left Fergie in the lurch."

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Seward, also editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, is quick to point out that things are very different this time around.

"They are both more sophisticated and of course Kate is HAPPY, and Diana was very unhappy. 

"I also think a woman of 36 has her own way of doing things," she adds, pointing out that age is more than just a number on this ocassion - with both Kate and Meghan 36 years old.

"Also, Kate is a mum and about to have another and that makes a gulf between them, but for the moment it is perfect.

"I don’t think they will use each other like Diana and Fergie did. It will be on a higher level."