TENSION between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton is rumoured to be the cause of a growing rift between Princes Harry and Willam, according to reports.

The Sun revealed yesterday that Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have decided they don't want to live in Kensington next to William and Kate.

The newlyweds will instead move to the Windsor estate and set up residence at Frogmore Cottage, which is having a multi-million pound refit paid for by the taxpayer.

And now a friend close to the couple has claimed that the decision to move may be because a rift is developing between the two couples because "Kate and Meghan are very different people".

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, the source added: "They don’t really get on."

Kensington Palace confirmed that Harry and Meghan were moving out, but a spokeswoman explained that this was to facilitate preparations for having a baby.

They added that Windsor is a special place for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who also formed a part of the decision to make the move.

But a royal source told The Sun: “The initial plan was for Harry and Meghan to move out of their cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace and into one of the main apartments.

"But there has been a bit of tension between the brothers."

The cosy cottage the pair currently live in as previously home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge before the couple moved into a 20-room apartment inside the palace.

Frogmore Cottage needs major building work to turn it back into a luxury family home, boasting 10 bedrooms, a new nursery plus space for a gym and a yoga studio.

The cottage is being chopped up into five units where palace staff have been living.

Kensington Palace released a statement saying: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will move to Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Estate early next year as they prepare for the arrival of their first child."

Grade II-listed Frogmore House, formerly known as Double Garden Cottage, has been a popular royal hideaway for more than 300 years.

It's still used by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family as a retreat for private and official royal engagements.

The name was inspired by the large number of frogs that thrive in the low-lying, marshy Berkshire countryside that surrounds it.

In years gone by, members of the public could walk right up to the home, surrounded by a small fence with a sign reading "Private".

It is expected the refit of the property will include an extensive security upgrade before its new tenants arrive.

News of Meghan and Harry's decision to leave Kensington Palace comes weeks after it was first reported that Harry and William would have separate courts in the future instead of using Kensington Palace as a joint office for them.