15 May 2024 , 10:29
575
0
The Waleses made a 'kind gesture' at the first royal engagement following Harry and Meghan's decision to step down from royal duties - but it failed to unite the Fab Four.
The two camps are now more distant than ever, and didn't meet up during Harry's London visit last week for a special Invictus Games ceremony. But that doesn't mean they haven't tried to join forces.
On one occasion, at the Commonwealth Day Service in 2020, William and Kate reportedly made a last-minute move to try and 'defuse the tension' between Harry and Meghan and the late Queen Elizabeth. It was the first time the Waleses came face-to-face with the Sussexes after their plans to exit.
William and Kate reportedly made a last-minute change and skipped the procession to join Harry and Meghan (Phil Harris Daily Mirror)The Westminster Abbey event in March 2020 was reportedly marred by tensions behind the scenes, as it was soon after the Sussexes announced their decision to leave their royal duties. Meghan and Harry were said to be 'upset and emotional' after learning they couldn't be part of the Queen's procession at the start of the service, and were instead shown to their seats with the rest of the guests.
But in a bid to avoid any more drama, William and Kate made a 'last-minute change'. According to the Daily Mail, the couple offered to join Meghan and Harry in skipping the procession, meaning they all waited for the service to start in their seats. The decision was made after the order of services was printed - meaning they were incorrect.
Meghan Markle 'to unleash her own memoirs' as Prince Harry's drops next week
However, their gesture reportedly didn't work, and their meeting seemed slightly awkward as both couples took their seats. The Sussexes arrived first and sat in the second row, and the Waleses were shortly behind them, but Meghan and Harry didn't stand to greet them.
The year prior, Meghan and Kate greeted each other with a kiss on each cheek, but they seemed more reserved at the service in 2020. While it wouldn't have been possible for them to kiss - due to Covid restrictions - the two couples exchanged only one or two words as they waited for the Queen and Charles to arrive.
A version of this article was first published on The Mirror in 2020.