Prince Philip funeral: William, Harry and Kate Middleton show signs of post-Megxit reconciliation

Prince William and Harry spoke to each other while leaving their grandfather Philip’s funeral at Windsor Castle today as the estranged brothers appeared in public together for the first time in more than a year.

The princes talked while walking out of St George’s Chapel following the service this afternoon, having earlier taken part in the procession either side of their cousin Peter Phillips behind the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin.

Harry was initially seen speaking to his sister-in-law Kate Middleton as they left the chapel and began walking, but then she appeared to hang back so he could talk to William for a few moments without her. 

The brothers’ discussion came following an impromptu decision by some of the Royal Family to walk back to the castle, despite state cars having been put on for them – and it gave the cameras a chance to see them talk. 

Harry’s friend Tom Bradby, who was presenting ITV’s coverage of the funeral today, said: ‘Funerals are a time of reconciliation and that a sight, let’s be honest, that’s many wanted to see. Not least the family itself.’ 

About an hour earlier, the Duke of Cambridge entered the chapel one place ahead of his younger brother – and the brothers were seated opposite one another during the service, with William next to his wife Kate.

William and Harry had looked sombre as they walked in silence behind the specially-adapted Land Rover carrying their grandfather’s coffin as it made its way to the chapel and looked straight ahead as they both wore black suits.

It had been quietly hoped that the loss of their beloved grandfather, who both men loved deeply, might start the process of rapprochement – but the brothers are not thought to have seen each other before the funeral. 

William, 38, and Harry, 36, were among nine members of the Royal Family who walked behind their grandfather’s unique coffin this afternoon, leaving the Sovereign’s entrance at Windsor Castle at precisely 2.45pm.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had earlier been seen wearing face masks as they left Kensington Palace in West London in the back of a vehicle before being driven the 20 miles to Windsor for the funeral. 

Today marks the first time Harry and William have been seen together since March 2020, when they attended a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey with other royals and could barely look each other in the eye.

Speaking about the brothers’ conversation today, body language expert Judi James told MailOnline: ‘The moment of connection between William and Harry came right at the end of the service as they left the chapel. 

‘In a well-co-ordinated but also relatively natural-looking moment, Harry walked up behind William and Kate to then join them, walking between them and chatting to them both. After a few seconds of what looked like natural and not self-conscious conversation, Kate fell back, leaving the two brothers walking off talking alone. It looked like a genuine moment of unity rather than something contrived for the cameras.’  

Royal aides have been ‘walking on eggshells’ as they try to navigate the rift between the brothers, sources said last night as tensions remain following Harry and Meghan’s acrimonious split from the Royal Family last year.

Relations were further soured by the couple’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey last month, in which they attacked senior royals while Philip, who died on April 9 at the age of 99, lay in hospital in London.

And today is likely to have been a particularly difficult day for the brothers and evoke memories of having to walk behind their mother Princess Diana’s coffin in September 1997, when they were aged just 15 and 13. 

Insiders have stressed that the arrangement involving the positioning of the brothers in the funeral procession should not be taken as a sign that William and Harry refused to walk alongside each other.  

Asked beforehand whether arrangements for the procession reflected the royal siblings’ relationship, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘This is a funeral, we’re not going to be drawn into those perceptions of drama, or anything like that, this is a funeral.

‘The arrangements have been agreed, and they represent Her Majesty’s wishes, so we’re not going to say anything more on that.’

Sources did admit, however, that the fraternal feud has taken up ‘much thought and energy’ in the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, which was responsible for today’s arrangements. 

‘Everyone is walking on eggshells so as not to exacerbate the situation,’ said one. 

‘To be fair, both William and Harry have made clear that they wish to focus on mourning their grandfather and do not want anything to get in the way of that. 

‘But it has made everyone doubly nervous about saying anything that could be remotely construed of being critical of the other side. It’s been a minefield.’

Sources insist the formation of those walking behind the coffin was based on ‘bloodlines and age’. 

The card on the wreath left for the Duke of Edinburgh by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in St George’s Chapel was handwritten by Meghan, who is watching the funeral on television from her home in the US.

Meghan and Harry personally chose the locally-sourced flowers for their tribute – including Acanthus mollis (Bear’s breeches), the national flower of Greece, to represent Philip’s heritage, and Eryngium (sea holly), to represent the Royal Marines.

The wreath also features campanula for gratitude and everlasting love, rosemary to signify remembrance, lavender for devotion, and roses in honour of June being Philip’s birth month.

Meghan, who is expecting the couple’s second child, is watching proceedings from more than 5,000 miles away in California after doctors advised her not to fly.

She had hoped to attend, but the Duke of Sussex is at the funeral alone. 

The floral wreath was designed and handmade by Willow Crossley, who was in charge of the flower arrangements for Harry and Meghan’s evening wedding celebrations in Frogmore Gardens. 

She also arranged the flowers for the christening of Harry and Meghan’s son Archie in the private chapel in Windsor Castle, and for the launch event for the Hubb Community cookbook at Kensington Palace.

Meghan is known for her skill at calligraphy and previously used to write wedding invitations.

Meanwhile, speaking about William and Harry, a source told the Daily Mirror yesterday: ‘Tensions are still obviously running high, a lot has been said and wounds are still very raw. 

‘But there is a realisation that everyone does need to reach some form of resolution, if only for the Queen, who has said it is her wish that the family comes together. 

‘The family has been united in grief this week and it has given a lot of people pause for thought.

‘It is certainly hoped that the period of unity from the darkness of the Duke’s passing can be used as a catalyst to come together instead of letting the passage of time deepen divisions.’

The group were led by the duke’s two elder children, with the Prince of Wales, 72, on the right and the Princess Royal, 70, on the left. 

They were followed by the Duke of York, 61, and the Earl of Wessex, 57. 

Philip’s three adult grandsons were next, with William on the ‘elder brother’ column behind Charles and Andrew, while Harry was behind Anne and Edward.

Between them was Anne’s son Peter, 43. Although he is older than William, he is not a direct heir to the throne. 

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Earl of Snowdon followed behind the trio, with Philip’s staff bringing up the rear.

Tensions within the family saw the Queen change the dress code for the occasion. 

A royal ceremonial funeral normally involves honorary military uniforms – but Philip’s mourners were wearing day dress instead. 

The monarch was forced to step in over behind the scene tensions after Prince Andrew insisted on wearing an admiral’s uniform, which other members of the Royal Family did not believe he was entitled to do.

This meant Harry – who has been stripped of his titles after quitting as a working royal – would have been the only member of the family not to be wearing military dress.

As an ex-serviceman he would only have been entitled to a lounge suit and medals. 

Earlier this week the Daily Mail revealed that the Queen had ordered day dress to be worn by everyone to defuse the issue.

Last night the Duke of Sussex was finishing his quarantine after flying in from California. His pregnant wife Meghan Markle and 21-month-old son Archie did not travel. 

This afternoon, the Duke of Edinburgh’s ‘unwavering loyalty’ to the Queen and his ‘courage, fortitude and faith’ was marked at his funeral. 

After 73 years of marriage, the Queen said farewell to Philip during the televised funeral service today, attended by a small group of close family and friends.

Covid regulations have reduced the scope of the service with public elements cancelled, mourners reduced from around 800 to just 30, and all guests wearing face masks and sitting apart. 

No sermon was delivered during the ceremonial royal service, in keeping with Philip’s wishes.

His love of the sea and long association with the Royal Navy permeates the Order of Service, with the music chosen by the duke including the hymn Eternal Father, Strong To Save – traditionally associated with seafarers and the maritime armed services. 

The Dean of Windsor, in the Bidding, paid tribute to Philip’s ‘kindness, humour and humanity’.

‘With grateful hearts, we remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us,’ he said of Philip, who died aged 99 on April 9.

‘We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith. 

‘Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity.’

The Prince of Wales and Princess Royal will lead the Duke of York, Earl of Wessex and other family members walking behind the duke’s coffin, carried on a Land Rover hearse he helped design, during the funeral procession which the Queen will join, travelling by car.

Royal brothers the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex, who have a troubled relationship, did not walk shoulder to shoulder but with their cousin Peter Phillips between them.

Philip’s love of carriage-driving was a poignant feature of his funeral, with his carriage, which he designed, and ponies making an appearance.

The polished dark green four-wheeled carriage, accompanied by two of Philip’s grooms, stood in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle as the duke’s coffin was carried past in the procession.

Among the mourners were the Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Wessex and her children Viscount Severn and Lady Louise.

Zara and Mike Tindall, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were invited.

Also attending were the children of the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret, three of Philip’s German relatives and his close friend Countess Mountbatten of Burma.  

The Queen was photographed driving in the grounds of Windsor Castle yesterday and during the day was back at work receiving calls from General David Hurley, Governor-General of Australia, and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

It is understood the calls were made by the national figures to convey their condolences to the Queen.

Philip’s children and grandchildren have been paying tribute to his life and legacy, and welcoming the support and warm words from the public who have left flowers and cards. 

In the grounds of Windsor Castle yesterday, the Earl and Countess of Wessex viewed cards and flowers left by the public and appeared touched by the tributes to the duke.

While looking over handwritten letters from children, Sophie could be heard saying ‘how sweet’ before speaking to her husband Edward about the number of bouquets that have been gathered.

She was also heard to suggest there would have been many more tributes if coronavirus restrictions had not been in place.

The couple, who were joined by their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, spent around 15 minutes looking at hundreds of flowers and wreaths outside St George’s Chapel.

Among them were floral tributes from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Royal Navy – which the duke was associated with for much of his life. 

Lord Chartres, a former bishop of London, said the Queen would be under ‘extraordinary pressure’ during the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral as she mourns her husband in public.

The retired Church of England bishop, who was understood to be close to Philip, told BBC Radio 4’s Today: ‘I hope that today people really will be sending up a prayer for the Queen and for the other members of the royal family because having to grieve in public is an extraordinary pressure and something that most of us would not really want to do.

‘But it is part of their life and their world, and I hope today, and I’m sure, that people won’t forget the personal dimension in the formal ceremonies.’

Lord Chartres said the duke had a ‘very practical’ Christian faith, adding: ‘I always remember preaching on occasions which he was principal actor that the instruction would always come down: ‘No more than four minutes’.

‘He was at home with broad church, high church and low church, but what he really liked was short church, and I think that-one was left in no doubt about that.’

The peer described Philip as a ‘very questioning, curious and deeply committed person’.