Peace and goodwill.. Kate and Meghan style
Face to face: The duchesses at Sandringham yesterday
THE Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex made a determined effort to put on a united front yesterday as they led the 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 half a mile 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 £2,250 coat with boots and a £1,200 bag, all by Victoria Beckham.
The duchesses chatted happily as they walked, with plenty of eye contact and big smiles.
Former actress Meghan hugged a well-wisher she spotted in the crowds. Jessica Daniels, 17, was a long-time Instagram and Twitter follower of the duchess before she gave up her social media presence to marry Harry. Jessica, from Peterborough, described the experience as ‘amazing’, adding: ‘She just said, “It’s so lovely to meet you, incredible to finally see you”.’
Although relations between Kate and Meghan appeared warm, they were both returning to different residences last night.
While William and Kate are at Anmer Hall, their country estate, with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, Harry and Meghan have this year been invited to stay at the Queen’s main residence with her, Prince Philip and Prince Charles. That is in contrast to last year when the two couples stayed together at Anmer.
Yesterday, as the Queen drove to church in her state limousine with the Duke of York, other members of the family made the walk down from the ‘Big House’.
They included her granddaughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who was with her new husband Jack Brooksbank; grandson Peter Phillips, who was holding the hands of his daughters Savannah and Isla, in matching Monsoon coats; the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn; and Princess Anne with Zara and Mike Tindall.
Prince Philip and the Duchess of Cornwall were notable absentees.
Camilla has a heavy cold and didn’t make it to Sandringham at all. Buckingham Palace said 97-year- old Philip chose not to attend having stepped back from public duties last year.
‘Chatted happily with big smiles’