Kate’s kiss to break the ice with Meghan
THEY may never be best friends but the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex managed to exchange kisses yesterday.
The royal sisters-in-law have endured a succession of stories about tensions behind the scenes at Kensington Palace.
But they put on a show of unity when they joined their husbands, the Queen and other royals to mark the 70th anniversary of the Commonwealth at Westminster Abbey.
Kate, 37, broke the ice, stepping forward to kiss eightmonths pregnant Meghan, also 37, on both cheeks inside the abbey just as Prince Charles and Camilla arrived.
Courtiers acknowledge that the two sisters-in-law are very different types of people but insist they are on good terms, despite reports of Kate being reduced to tears before Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
Kate, in a red Catherine Walker coat and matching dress, and Meghan – in an all-white ensemble featuring a pill box hat and a chain-print Victoria Beckham dress – were among a 2,000-strong congregation.
With Prince Philip at 97 no longer taking part in public duties, Prince Andrew accompanied the Queen in her car to and from the abbey.
When the 92-year-old monarch stepped into the abbey, she turned to look at her grandsons William and Harry, who both bowed their heads while their wives curtseyed.
Moments earlier, Charles, 70, and Camilla, 71, both exchanged kisses with the Cambridges and the Sussexes. The heir to the throne made Meghan giggle with a series of quips.
The service featured perfor- mances from tenor Alfie Boe, chart toppers Clean Bandit, and Australian didgeridoo player William Barton.
Outside, the royal party were treated to a performance by the Tropical Flowers Sega Dancers, a group of British Mauritians from south London.