Prince William and Kate Middleton reunite with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following queen’s death
They’re reunited in their grief.
Prince Harry, with wife Meghan Markle by his side, walked with Prince William and Kate Middleton Saturday to take in tributes placed outside of Windsor Castle in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
It was the younger royal generation’s first public appearance together since their relationship had grown fractious in recent years.
William — the freshly-minted Prince of Wales — extended an invite to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for a walkabout among the flowers and messages left behind by well-wishers, according to a royal spokesperson. The foursome milled outside the palace for about 40 minutes, comforting and greeting people eager to pay their respects to the queen, who died on Thursday at the age of 96.
From left, Kate, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk to meet members of the public at Windsor Castle, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, in Windsor, England, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (Kirsty O'Connor/)
William was heard telling one well-wisher that the days following the queen’s death had been “so surreal,” Reuters reported.
“We all thought she was invincible,” he said.
Harry too addressed the crowds, calling the late queen a “great granny.”
“No matter what room of the castle you are in, you can feel her presence,” the Duke of Sussex said.
Relations between the royal brothers have been strained since January 2020, after Harry and Meghan announced they would be stepping away from their royal duties. The couple briefly moved to Canada and then relocated to Los Angeles, where they currently live with their two children, 3-year-old Archie and 1-year-old Lilibet.
Britain's Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales and Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex view the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (Martin Meissner/)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently traveled to Europe to participate in a series of events hosted by charities they have supported over the years. They were staying at their U.K. home, Frogmore Cottage, which is on the estate of Windsor Castle, when the queen’s health took a turn for the worst.
Kate and William recently moved to Windsor, making them just a short distance from Frogmore.
Britain's Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, left, and Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk to greet the crowds after viewing the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (Alberto Pezzali/)
In his first statement after his grandmother’s death, William, now first in line for the throne, reflected on the lessons he has learned courtesy of the queen.
“On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign,” the statement reads.
“I, however, have lost a grandmother,” he continued. “And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.”
