Harry & Kate’s SECRET MEETING
The prince’s fleeting trip to the UK was a chance to build bridges
Getting the Duke of Sussex home from California for his grandfather’s funeral in the face of a toxic family rift was one of the toughest tasks palace staff have had to deal with.
Indeed, British press reports allege that even Princess Anne and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, refused to speak to the exiled former royal during the late Prince Philip’s ceremony.
But everyone from the footmen to the Queen learned a valuable lesson in diplomacy when the Duchess of Cambridge managed to do what no one else could, and delicately engineered a face-to-face chat between Prince Harry and Prince
William, 38, on the steps of St George’s Chapel.
The informal chat between the Wales boys and Kate, 39, appeared to go so well that the brothers even broke off alone as they strolled back to Windsor Castle, with the duchess subtly falling behind.
And despite the fact that Harry last week returned to LA to be back with his heavily pregnant wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Kate’s not done with her role as the royal family’s peacemaker.
“Kate joined Prince Charles and Prince William for a private chat at Frogmore Cottage after the funeral,” says a source. “Having her involved raised
eyebrows among senior courtiers but she is seen as a crucial, soothing presence given everything’s still so tense and raw. Especially for her husband, who wonders if he’ll ever forgive Harry airing their dirty laundry to Oprah and the world last month. Both William and Harry listen to Kate – she’s the voice of reason.”
A source adds, “Harry felt so out of place being at home, surrounded by people who are downright furious with him. But Kate extending that olive branch helped make him feel welcome. He’s grateful for that.”
‘Kate was able to establish that Harry does feel a lot of regret’
Woman’s Day has learned that Kate – who Harry, 36, once described as “the sister I never had” – is encouraging him to spend more time in the UK.
“Kate was able to establish that Harry does feel a lot of regret, especially admitting that he feels horrible about the Oprah situation being his grandfather’s last memory of him and Meghan. That went a long way to starting the healing process between him, his brother and his dad,” says a source.
“Kate pulled Harry aside and encouraged him to not only forgive himself, but also pleaded with him to keep in touch with her, if no one else. She gently suggested he shouldn’t stay away so long next time, and is looking forward to having him back to unveil a statue tribute to Diana in July.
“When Harry arrived in England to such a frosty reception, he wasn’t even sure if he’d come back for that – but Kate’s kindness has convinced him it’s worthwhile, especially as it will go a long way to making amends for throwing the family under the bus in that interview.”