The Queen’s death led to a royal reconciliation yesterday when the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex put on a united front to meet crowds outside Windsor Castle. In an unexpected but welcomed display of unity, William, Kate, Harry and Meghan Markle shelved their differences to view floral tributes left to the late Queen at Windsor Castle.
Their surprise reconciliation in front of thousands of well-wishers only occurred after "extended negotiations" which delayed their arrival by 45 minutes, the Times reports. Hours after their father was declared king, the 'Fab Four' emerged from a car behind the gates of Windsor Castle and walked to meet cheering crowds and view the flowers left outside.
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A royal source said: "The Prince of Wales thought it was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family.”
A Kensington Palace spokesperson added that William had invited Harry and Meghan to join him and Kate during yesterday evening's walkabout.
They said: "The Prince of Wales invited the Duke and Duchess to join him and the Princess of Wales. The Prince of Wales thought it was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family."
A royal source added: “The Prince of Wales thought it was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family.”
But there were "extended negotiations" between the camps, claims sources, that delayed their arrival by 45 minutes.
Meghan's friend Omid Scobie, later said on Twitter that the invitation was made at the "11th hour".
Talking about the olive branch extended to the Sussexes's: "It is, without a doubt, a significant moment in the history of the relationship between the two brothers."
The two couples were last pictured at the same event during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, where they attended the thanksgiving celebrations.
The surprise appearance is the first time the two couples have all been pictured in public together since Commonwealth Day on March 9, 2020.
And William and Harry were last photographed when opening memorial honouring their mother, Princess Diana, in July last year.
The walk came hours after William expressed his grief at the loss of his 'Grannie' in a moving statement.
He wrote: "On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.
"I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of the Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade.
"My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives."
In a remark alluding to the loss of his and Harry's mother, Diana, William continued: "She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life."
* This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get poth pullouts.
You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here.
