Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Princes can’t hide hurt at heart of the Windsors
Brothers keep distance at royal service
They walked out of the ancient abbey that has been pivotal to the British monarchy for more than 900 years. Pausing on the steps of the Great West Door, he bent to chat to a smiling school girl while she collected a posy of spring flowers.
And then, without a backward glance, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex climbed into a waiting Range Rover and drove out of the limelight.
At 10 past four on a grey March afternoon, Meghan and Harry finally broke free and bade farewell to life as working royals.
And, despite the furore surrounding their “abdication” no one could deny that The Firm – and the nation – have lost a valuable, vibrant asset.
Earlier, they had mingled happily enough, Meghan chatting to boxer Anthony Joshua and Harry bumping elbows with singer Craig David. But the Sussexes’ last official appearance was also a sad reminder of the hurt at the heart of the Windsor clan.
Because yesterday’s Commonwealth Day Service in Westminster Abbey was all about family – about forging “a common future”.
And as stars including David and
Alexandra Burke sang songs about love and unity, brothers William and Harry sat a few feet apart, clearly still focused on following “different paths.”
Twenty-three years ago, we had watched Diana’s boys sitting in the same abbey united in grief during her funeral. Then, in 2011, we rejoiced as Harry stood beside nervous bridegroom William on his wedding day. But, as they shared one brief smile and “Hello” yesterday, the gap between them was achingly obvious.
The Queen had specifically asked Harry and Meghan to join senior royals at the annual service which means so much to her.
But, unlike last year and 2018, the arrivals seemed carefully choreographed to avoid the Cambridges and Sussexes having to mingle and make small talk.
In the past, the couples arrived, just ahead of Charles and Camilla, then waited beside the tomb of the Unknown Warrior to join the Queen’s procession. Last year, they all kissed
each other and chatted happily as heavily pregnant Meghan beamed and stroked her baby bump.
But, on Sunday, arrival plans were inexplicably changed and Harry and Meghan were instead taken straight to their seats – just after Edward and Sophie Wessex – followed, five minutes later, by the Cambridges.
Charles and Camilla and two royal protection officers walked the Queen down the aisle. And there was no sign of Prince Andrew – who stayed away this year amid the scandal over his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
As William and Kate took their seats in the front row, the Duke of
Cambridge nodded “Hello” at the Sussexes, who smiled back and mouthed “Hi”.
Kate smiled and said “Hello Meghan” then sat facing forward reading her order of service as the Sussexes chatted animatedly to Edward.
Meghan, in a green Emilia Wickstead dress with asymmetrical cape, and Kate, in red Catherine Walker, then both dropped deep curtseys as the Queen took her place.
The service was attended by Commonwealth dignitaries, Government ministers, including PM Boris Johnson and his pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, and hundreds of schoolchildren.
But, during the readings, hymns and musical performances, Harry looked pensive and emotional.
On Saturday night, he appeared close to tears as he and Meghan received a long round of applause at a military music festival in the Royal Albert Hall. The couple officially step down from their roles as working royals on March 31, but insiders say Harry has been deeply touched by the warm reception they’ve received on their farewell tour. Body language expert Judi James said that showed at the service yesterday.
“The tension in Harry’s body language especially was palpable,” she said. “At one point he was just staring ahead and then looking at the floor, and I think he found it very difficult.
“I mean, it must have been such a poignant moment for him to be sitting, facing the backs of the heads of all the people in his family he used to be close to and knowing that he was about to leave.”
The time to leave came just after 4pm as the service drew to a close.
The senior members of The Firm all lined up to follow the Queen back down the aisle and Harry and Meghan fell in behind Kate and William.
The image was a far cry from those happy snaps taken by an onlooker as they left the church at Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2017.
Back then, they were the Fab Four. Yesterday, the Sussexes and Cambridges were two royal couples on very different paths.
Harry was just staring at the floor. I think he found it very difficult
THE Sussexes bowing out as working royals is a sad day for the monarchy.
But let’s just hope Harry and Meghan can still play some part in the future of the royals.