Feuding Prince William & Harry could walk side by side behind the Queen’s coffin at her funeral
WILLIAM and Harry could walk side by side behind the Queen’s coffin in plans to be discussed in coming days, The Sun can reveal.
They were separated by cousin Peter Phillips as they followed Prince Philip’s cortege at his funeral 17 months ago, during the height of their feud.
But on Saturday Wills, 40, issued a remarkable invite to Harry and Meghan to “show unity for the Queen” and see the flowers laid for her while meeting the public outside Windsor Castle along with Kate.
Palace planners are still putting finishing touches on arrangements for two royal family processions behind the Queen’s coffin in London.
However, The Sun understands there will be discussions about whether the brothers could again be seen at each other’s sides.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Sussexes reportedly only had minutes to get ready for the flower visit on Saturday.
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The couple, who were in the UK for charity commitments, have only a skeleton staff with them.
Meghan has decided not to fly home to pick up their children, son Archie, three, and year-old daughter Lilibet, as she feels it is “inappropriate” to leave the country at a time of royal mourning.
It comes as...
- William & Harry could walk side by side behind the Queen’s coffin at her funeral
- Princess Anne curtsied to her beloved mum as Her Majesty's coffin left Balmoral for the final time
- Thousands left flowers outside royal residences across the country
- King Charles III was proclaimed as King across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- King Charles' relentless schedule was revealed - where he always skips one meal a day
- Details of The Queen's sombre final journey back to London emerged
- A new Bank Holiday to mark The Queen's funeral on September 19 was established
However it has been reported that her mother Doria Ragland could escort the young children over before the funeral.
Details of the two family processions — due to take place on Wednesday and then at next Monday’s funeral — are still being finalised.
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But an insider said: “We are certainly not in the same place as Philip’s funeral when William and Harry didn’t walk side by side.
“Things haven’t changed but it is not as intense and they can co-exist.
“But the flower visit really doesn’t change anything. It is the same situation as at Prince Philip’s funeral when William and Harry put their differences aside and supported each other and their families in that moment.”
On Wednesday, King Charles will lead a family procession behind the coffin from Buckingham Palace, starting at 2.22pm, to the Palace of Westminster.
A spokesman for the King said discussions are continuing.
He added: “Some of this is, ‘Who is going to walk all that distance and not?’. We don’t go into any more detail but it’s that kind of thing that is being involved in the discussions.”
Details of the second royal family procession to Westminster Abbey for next Monday’s funeral have also yet to be finalised.
The Queen’s eldest grandson Peter Phillips, 44, stood between William and Harry as they walked behind the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin at Windsor Castle in April 2021.
Harry was unable to wear a military uniform after his titles were stripped in the Megxit settlement so all the family wore morning suits to spare his blushes.
Since then, Harry and Wills have stood side by side for the unveiling of Princess Diana’s statue at Kensington Palace last summer but they did not meet when the Sussexes returned for the Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.
Harry, 37, and Meghan, 41, had been due to travel back to California on Friday but plans were ripped up when the Queen died on Thursday.
Sources claim the couple immediately agreed to accept William’s olive branch on Saturday but had very little time to get ready.
They arrived in the UK last Saturday with two PR officers who were there to cover three charity events in Manchester, Düsseldorf and London.
Also with them was Archewell’s head of media Miranda Barbot.
Chief aide James Holt has remained in the United States.
It is understood the couple planned to issue a statement about the Queen yesterday but it is expected to be released today instead.
Claims they had prepared a walkabout for US telly and that William asked Charles before inviting the couple were denied.
Despite the show of unity, the two families have not been round each others’ houses.
William’s family of five have recently moved into Adelaide Cottage, a short walk from Frogmore Cottage where Harry and Meghan are staying.
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A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said details of the procession on Wednesday and Monday will be released closer to the time.
A spokesman for William did not want to comment.
Prince Harry looked especially miserable at Windsor - but interaction between Kate and Meghan was more telling
PRINCE William held out the hand of friendship when he invited his younger brother to take part in the walkabout on Saturday, writes Arthur Edwards.
And good on Prince Harry for having the guts to do it when he knows it might not go down well with certain people - including his own wife Meghan who was also there.
This show of unity will put to bed any potential sniping at the Queen’s funeral - and the olive branch might make Harry reconsider including anything too negative in his upcoming book.
I noticed the now Princess of Wales and Meghan didn’t look each other in the eye and appeared a little cold.
They may take longer to see eye-to-eye.
King Charles used his first speech to express love to both his sons.
It’s time for the brothers - and their wives - to put an end to this petty squabble.
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It’s too early to tell if this alone will heal the rift, but it’s the first sign they can put some of their problems behind them.
But it could be a sign going forward that Harry and Meghan may give up their lives in America and return to this country that needs the Royal Family united.
