The peacemaker: HOW KATE'S SAVING THE MONARCHY

IT’S FALLEN ON THE DUCHESS’ SHOULDERS TO LEAD THE WAY

- Judy Kean

It was subtle but incredibly significant a thoughtful gesture by a woman who has proved by her gentle and generous actions that one day she is going to make a wonderful Queen consort.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, helped to break the ice between her husband Prince William and his brother Prince Harry, who have been feuding for several years, in the moments after the funeral for their grandfather Prince Philip.

“She showed herself to be a beacon of light in the darkest of hours,” says royal writer Sarah Vine.

As the small group of royal mourners left St George’s Chapel, Windsor, after the service, Kate, 39, turned to her brother-in-law Harry and started talking to him. They were then joined by William, and as they began walking up the hill towards Windsor Castle, Kate discreetly dropped back, leaving the brothers to walk together and hopefully start on the path to reconciliation.

The relationship between the siblings had deteriorated so much – especially in the wake of the interview Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, gave to Oprah Winfrey – that for the funeral procession to the chapel, William, 38, and Harry, 36, were separated by their cousin Peter Phillips, 43. According to one source, the brothers had only communicated via text since Harry arrived back in the UK.