Prince William reportedly sent a last minute message to his brother Prince Harry inviting him and his wife Meghan Markle to Windsor Castle where they took the time to view hundreds of touching tributes that had been left by members of the public following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The new Prince of Wales, alongside his wife Kate Middleton, joined Harry and Meghan to view the touching tributes left outside the gates of Windsor Castle, and reports have suggested the gathering was a last minute plan, and not organised by the new King, Charles III.
Crowds flocked to the castle gates where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Prince and Princess of Wales greeted individuals and thanked them for their well-wishes and condolences, reports the Mirror.
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It was the first public appearance between the two couples since Harry and Meghan stood down as senior royals and moved to the States as they were pictured shaking hands with the lined crowds and accepting flowers. A source told the Daily Mail that it was just William and Kate due to meet those outside the gates, but a surprise last minute invitation, initiated by William to his brother Harry prompted the pair to reunite in a touching gesture.
A source told the paper: "It happened very quickly - remarkable really considering they didn't see each other in Scotland."
The paper reports that it was the Prince of Wales' decision to send his younger brother the olive branch of joining him for the walkabout, and it was "absolutely not the case" this was done on the direction of their dad, the new King, as was previously thought.
Suggestions William made the move after hearing Harry was planning to undertake his own walkabout with a film crew were "complete b******s", the paper was told.
It is thought that William agreed that a feeling of unity and solidarity was necessary during a time of national and family mourning, before asking Harry to join him and Kate. The walkabout was originally scheduled for 4.30pm but was reportedly pushed back by 45 minutes as William and Harry discussed their plans.
Before the death of Queen Elizabeth II, it is alleged that Meghan Markle was told she was 'not welcome' at Balmoral with the rest of the royal family. Harry ended up travelling alone, following news that Kate did not accompany William, while his brother was joined by Princes Andrew and Edward on the trip to Scotland. The Duke of Sussex's private plane did not get to Aberdeenshire until a few hours after the Queen's death - he was reportedly told while en route from London.
However, he did not join his brother and father at the King's home of Birkhall on Thursday evening but instead chose to remain at Balmoral with the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex and Princess Anne. An insider said of the decision: "Two dinners were being hosted on the royal estate that night and there was a clear divide: One was for the new king and his heir, the other was for the rest of the family."
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