Good Will Gesture...
Olive branch to Harry in mourning
PRINCE William masterminded the perfect tribute to the Queen yesterday – by reuniting with warring brother Harry.
In astonishing scenes, the onceinseparable Princes and their wives, Kate and Meghan, stood side by side to help the nation begin the tough process of grieving for Her Majesty.
Their public show of strength for mourners at Windsor came after months of bitter division.
And their joint arrival – the four’s first public appearance in 915 days – was met with audible gasps.
Last night, Angela Thomas, who met the royals with her kids, told the Sunday People: “It was absolutely incredible to see the brothers together again.”
They were really tactile and looked close in a show of unity
Emotional
The black-clad royals spent more than 40 minutes accepting condolences, gifts and hugs in a showing reminiscent of the public kindness which was the trademark of William and Harry’s mother, Princess Diana. They then left in the same vehicle. It was a sharp contrast to Thursday, when Harry had to charter his own private plane in a desperate attempt to get to Balmoral to say a final farewell to the Queen.
He was the last royal to arrive at his grandmother’s Scottish home after being unable to travel on the same jet as William and their uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and Edward’s wife Sophie. The Queen died before he arrived.
Last night, a spokesman for William, 40, said it was the newly-annointed Prince of Wales who had extended the invitation to Harry, 37, and the Duchess of Sussex, 41. A senior royal source said: “The Prince of Wales thought it was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family.”
Well-wisher Angela told us: “They were really tactile and looked close again. It’s made me emotional.
“I know the Queen was a real ally of Harry’s but I just hope this means they can still properly repair their relationship because that’s what she would have wanted.”
Angela’s son Jenson, six, struck up a conversation when Harry spotted his Manchester United shirt Jenson said: “It was better than meeting Cristiano Ronaldo. I can’t believe it.” His brother Jamie, nine, added: “It was so good to meet Harry, he was so nice and gave me a handshake.”
Fantastic
Later at Windsor, as thousands thronged for a glimpse of the reunited royals, Meghan bent down to chat to Cara Crawford, five, and sister Evie.
The stunned eight-year-old said: “She asked me if we had come here to lay flowers for the Queen. She was really kind. I can’t wait to tell everyone at school we met Meghan.”
Mum Jodie and dad Dan, 38, had travelled nine miles from Bracknell.
Jodie said: “It’s fantastic to see William and Harry back together and we just never expected this. I hope this is the sign of things to come.
“Harry seemed really upset and I am sure he wanted to be here to pay respects and speak to the public.”
The reunited royal couples parted to speak to opposite sides of the crowd along Windsor’s Long Walk.
Then they presented a show of unity when chatting together as they read the notes of well-wishers left alongside flowers. Harry stopped to read handwritten notes from children.
Meghan put a comforting hand on her husband’s back as he looked through the notes and held his hand throughout.
Afterwards, Harry and Meghan’s friend, the author Omid Scobie, claimed the invitation was made at the 11th hour.
He declared: “It is, without a doubt a significant moment in the relationship between the two brothers.”
The two princes and their wives had been incredibly close before Harry wed US Suits actress Meghan in 2018.
But cracks soon began to show and a series of reports emerged suggesting Meghan had fallen out with some
members of the household. Problems started before the wedding day, when Meghan’s Hollywood lighting director dad Thomas Sr became embroiled in a staged paparazzi pictures scandal.
Special
Press reports emerged of Meghan parting company with staff – and rumours surfaced she had been cruelly dubbed Me-gain by courtiers.
Then in March 2020, Harry and his wife announced they were stepping away from royal life and moving to Meghan’s native California.
Things got worse when the couple gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey in which they made shocking allegations, including accusing an unnamed royal of asking about their son Archie’s potential skin colour.
But all the bitterness seemed to have been put aside yesterday as the brothers put on a united front
Lexie Hackman, 14, who came with mum Amanda, 49, from Thatcham, Berks, told us: “It’s so special to see William and Harry here together.”
Banita Ranow, 28, said she heard the Duchess of Cornwall tell children next to her about what her youngest son Louis had said about the Queen’s
death. She said Kate told the children: “Louis said at least Granny is with great grandpa now.”
Earlier, William had paid a heartwarming tribute to the Queen, saying his grandmother was his rock.
The prince said: “So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.
“I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of the Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had 20 years of her guidance and support. My three children have
got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.
“She was by my side at my happiest moments.
“And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come but it will be some time before the reality of life without Granny will truly feel real.”
As the former Duke and Duchess of Cambridge now settle into their new roles, royal sources said the couple
would continue to serve in a “modest and humble way”.
Harry and Meghan were last seen in public with Wills and Kate on Commonwealth Day on March 9, 2020.
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