Double Duchess! Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Step Out Separately in London

It’s a double dose of duchess!

Meghan Markleand Kate Middleton both stepped out for solo engagements in London on Wednesday.

Mom-to-be Meghan, who is due in late April, had her first official visit to hernewly announced patronage, the animal charity, Mayhew, while mom of threeKate visited the Royal Opera Houseto meet with costume designers and ballet dancers.

Meghan Markle.Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock

DAVID HARTLEY/REX/Shutterstock

As the Cambridges and Sussexes head into the New Year,claims have swirled about tensionbetween brothersPrince Williamand Prince Harry and their wives, Kate and Meghan — especially as it was announced thatHarry and Meghan are moving out of Kensington Palacethis year. But many believe the shift was bound to happen.

“Wives do change the dynamic, and they both have very strong wives,” a palace insider recently told PEOPLE. “If you bring two independent-minded women from the real world into the royal world, they are going to want to have an impact.”

RELATED VIDEO: InsideMeghan MarkleandKate Middleton’s Complex Relationship

And while a source tells PEOPLEMeghan and Kate are “definitely not best friends,”they enjoyed a memorable Christmas together, and they are celebrating in each other’s milestones.

UK Press Pool/UK Press via Getty

Both Meghan and Kate are also exceedingly capable of owning the spotlight.

“An ordinary woman is not going to get to become a princess,” says a palace insider. “There is a necessary strength of character and ambition and single-mindedness. It takes someone really strong. That is Kate and Meghan.”

source: people.com