UNITED IN GRIEF

The Cambridges and the Sussexes put aside their differences to greet mourners as a foursome, giving rise to hopes of a more permanent reconciliation

- NICI DE WET

THE wounds are deep and the scars still fresh, so few thought they’d reconcile any time soon. Yet losing the woman who played such a large role in their lives changed the game – and princes William and Harry publicly showing a united front is testament to The Firm members doing their duty, no matter how they feel.

The royal family were out in force to meet with mourners in the days following the queen’s death. But it was the new Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex walking about at Windsor Castle with their wives that captured most attention.

William and Harry, along with Kate and Meghan, walked out of the gates of Windsor Castle together and were met by applause. Not even the security detail knew they’d be making the unannounced visit together, a source told People magazine.

Prince William was the first to extend an olive branch, sending Harry a message to ask if he and Meghan would like to join him and Kate. The unexpected reunion got off to a bit of a rocky start because it was a last-minute decision on William’s part, and it took 45 minutes to work out the details. According to a source, William’s father hadn’t forced him to reach out as ini­ tial reports suggested. “This was absolutely not the case; it was a spon­taneous gesture. It hap­pened very quickly.”

Another insider says the new heir to the throne put duty first. “William thought it was an important show of unity at an incredibly dif­ficult time for the family.”