Meghan Markle 'is at her wits' end over her father's public outbursts' - but Kate has been a 'pillar of support' amid family drama after the pair bonded over tea and tennis

• Thomas Markle, 74, has accused Meghan of 'cutting him out' in recent weeks
• Duchess of Sussex is said to be at her wits' end at his endless media interviews
• Royal correspondent Katie Nicholl says she has turned to Kate for support 
• Two women are said to have bonded over cups of tea and share love of tennis 

The Duchess of Sussex has maintained a dignified silence around her father's public outbursts, but behind closed doors she is said to be 'at her wits' end'.

Meghan, 36, has been accused of 'cutting off' Thomas Markle in a spate of media interviews and according to royal correspondent Katie Nicholl she has been turning to her sister-in-law for support.

Writing in Vanity Fair, Nicholl revealed that Meghan sees Kate as a 'pillar of support' in her new life behind palace walls - and Harry is said to be 'relieved' that they have forged a close alliance.

The two duchesses' blossoming friendship was evident in pictures of them watching Wimbledon together earlier this month.

The Duchess of Cambridge, left, and sister-in-law the Duchess of Sussex (pictured at Wimbledon on July 14) are said to have bonded over tea and tennis - with Kate acting as a 'pillar of support' as Meghan navigates her new life as a royal and endures a family drama

Meghan with her father before marrying into the royal family. The Duchess has recently been accused of 'cutting off' Thomas Markle in a series of recent media interviews

One source noted that Kate is 'well aware' of what the newbie royal is going through and has 'made a big effort to be kind to Meghan and look out for her'.

Another insider added: 'Kate’s made a real effort to be kind to Meghan and to include her. They’re quite different characters but they get along well.'

The two women, both 36, are said to have bonded over their love of dogs, tennis and the great outdoors - with Kate recommending the services of British designer Emilia Wickstead to her new sister-in-law.  

The source told how Kate invites Meghan to her apartment at Kensington Palace for tea, with the two women speaking on the phone once a week.

They added: '[Kate] has made an effort with Meghan. She’s been very sympathetic to what’s been going on with Meghan and her dad.' 

Meghan and Kate at the Royal Foundation Forum in London in February. The two women are neighbours at Kensington Palace and are said to have forged a closed bond in recent weeks

Harry and Meghan after announcing their engagement in November 2017 at Kensington Palace. Meghan is not believed to have spoken to her father in more than ten weeks and the pair have not seen each other since before the wedding in May; Thomas has never met Harry

Neighbours: Meghan and Harry, who live at Nottingham Cottage, are just a stone's throw away from Kate and William, who made Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace their permanent home last year after enrolling Prince George at Thomas's Battersea primary school

It comes after retired lighting director Thomas, 74, told the Mail on Sunday he has not spoken to his 'beloved Bean' Meghan for more than ten weeks.

Thomas - who has never met his son-in-law - claims the rift is 'punishment' for him staging fake paparazzi pictures before the wedding.

He said: 'I'm really hurt that she's cut me off completely. I used to have a phone number and text number for her personal aides at the Palace, but after I said a few critical words about the Royal Family changing Meghan, they cut me off.

'Those numbers were disconnected, they no longer work. I have no way of contacting my daughter.

'It's her birthday on August 4 and I want to send her a card. But if I send a birthday card to Kensington Palace, or wherever she's living now, it'll just be one among thousands. She'll probably never see it.'