On April 17, 2021, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was laid to rest in St. George's
Chapel at Windsor Castle. While most of the focus was understandably on the late prince,
his wife Queen Elizabeth II, and the service, many royal watchers were also interested in
what might happen between Prince William and Prince Harry. The brothers have been feuding
on and off for a few years, though the situation was seemingly exacerbated by William's reaction
to Harry's relationship with Meghan Markle.
That feud came to a head in January 2020, when Harry and Meghan announced they were
stepping down as senior royals and split their time between the United Kingdom and North
America, as reported by the BBC. The publication claimed that no other senior royal, including
the queen or William, were consulted about the decision, and Buckingham Palace released
a statement saying they were "disappointed" in Harry and Meghan's choice.
The Sussexes officially retired from senior duties in March 2020 and moved to Canada before
eventually settling in Los Angeles. The coronavirus pandemic kept Harry away from the U.K. for
a full year, and it was only the death of his grandfather that brought him back to his
home country. Many wondered what the meeting between the two brothers would look like,
and if the Duchess of Cambridge would have any part to play.
As it turns out, she did.
Those hoping for a reconciliation between Prince William and Prince Harry at Prince
Philip's funeral were treated to a worrisome sight at first. William and Harry walked behind
their grandfather for the funeral procession, but did not stand next to each other. Rather,
Peter Phillips, Philip and Queen Elizabeth II's oldest grandchild, stood between them,
reportedly at the request of William, per the Daily Mail. The publication also noted
that Harry experienced "frostiness" from certain members of the royal family.
During the procession, Harry looked uncomfortable, and body language experts told the Mirror
that William looked very, quote, "stoic in his approach, very militaristic," while Harry
looked to be a bit awkward and confined. They said this feeling continued as the procession
ended and the brothers walked into the church, with William walking ahead of Harry. The mood
slightly shifted once everybody sat down, though, and the body language experts stated
Kate Middleton seemed to look over at Harry during the service with an intense stare,
one that was possibly concerned about him, and potentially felt a, quote, "mother's need
to care for him."
After the service concluded, Harry seemed to drop back, waiting to depart the church
behind many other members of the royal family, and he still seemed uncomfortable.
As the royal family was walking out of St. George's Chapel, many members stopped to talk
to the Right Reverend David Conner, the Dean of Windsor, who conducted the funeral service
for Prince Philip alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury. While Prince William was talking
to the reverend, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry began chatting.
As the New York Post wrote, Harry seemed to "visibly relax" as she spoke. The Daily Mail
reported Kate and William then talked as Harry took his turn with the reverend. The body
language experts who spoke with the Mirror claimed that, at this point, Harry and William
had some eye contact and William gestured for Harry to walk between the two of them,
forming a trio as they had so often done in the past.
At this point, Kate chose to step back, dropping into conversation with the Countess of Wessex
and her daughter, allowing William and Harry to speak privately. It was an optimistic moment
for many who are hoping for a reconciliation between the brothers and is hopefully indicative
of lessening tensions between the two men.
"So for Kate to be the one who actually brokered the peace today, it was rather extraordinary."
Prince William and Prince Harry's feud has a potentially unintended consequence, and
that's the strained friendship between Kate Middleton and Harry. Those who have followed
the princes' lives for years know just how close Kate and Harry used to be. In fact,
when asked about his future sister-in-law when William proposed, Harry said Kate was
"the big sister he never had," per the Daily Mail.
That description seemed to be accurate, as sources said Kate essentially took Harry under
her wing, cooking for him, teaching him kitchen techniques, and giving him dating advice.
The publication wrote,
"She has been both a trusted counsel and something of a partner in crime for the persistently
single Harry."
Her efforts to bring the brothers together may have been fruitful, as there is talk that
Harry will stay in the United Kingdom a bit longer, to, quote, "privately celebrate Queen
Elizabeth II's 95th birthday," reported the New York Post. If that occurs, it would likely
be a welcome sight for the queen as she mourns.