Peace and goodwill... Kate and Meghan style
THE Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex made a determined effort to put on a united front yesterday as they led the British royal family to church with their husbands.
A rumoured rift between the two women appeared to have been firmly put to one side as they smiled, chatted warmly and waved to the crowds who had queued for hours at Sandringham to catch a glimpse of the so-called ‘Fab Four’. At one point, after collecting bouquets from well-wishers, Meghan put a hand on Kate’s back – a rare example of a public intimate gesture between the two royals.
It had been confirmed only earlier this month that the two couples would actually be together this Christmas after claims of a ‘froideur’ between the duchesses.
Although royal aides have been keen to play down reports of a rift, it has been clear that there are tensions behind the scenes and that the two women do not have the closest of relationships.
In particular, there have been allegations of a dispute during a bridesmaid’s dress fitting for Princess Charlotte, as well as claims that Harry and Meghan’s move from Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage at Windsor reflects a falling-out.
Yesterday, however, Kate and Meghan made a point of chatting to each other warmly as they walked down from the main house at Sandringham to St Mary Magdalene Church, around a kilometre away. The pair walked side by side, although Meghan linked arms with Prince Harry.
Kate, 36, looked festive in a red custom-made Catherine Walker dress coat with a burgundy collar and matching ‘halo band’ hat with a black felt bow by Jane Taylor.
Pregnant Meghan, 37, wore a blue coat with boots and a €1,300 bag, all by Victoria Beckham. The duchesses chatted happily as they walked, with plenty of eye contact and big smiles.
According to body language expert Judi James, it was Kate who took the lead. ‘It was she who took the job of PR for the two couples here, opting to not hold her husband’s hand as she had last year,’ she told The Sun.
‘Instead, Kate kept a pace away from him and closer to Meghan in order to breach any ideas of a physical and emotional gap.’
Although relations between Kate and Meghan appeared warm yesterday, they were both returning to different residences last night.
William, Kate and their children are at Anmer Hall, their country estate, while Harry and Meghan have this year been invited to stay at the Queen’s main residence.
‘Chatted happily with big smiles’