Prince Harry and Prince William were separated by their cousin, Peter Phillips, as they followed their grandfather’s coffin into St. George’s Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle.
However, following the ceremony, they were seen speaking with each other — joined by William’s wife, Kate Middleton — in a move which gave hope to those watching that the rift between the brothers might be starting to heal.
A source has said that the brothers spoke for two hours afterward and were also joined by their father, Prince Charles.
It would have been the first time they have met in person since the Oprah Winfrey interview was aired last month — which many members of the royal family are reportedly still “very upset” about.
Harry, William, and Charles had spoken over the phone in the weeks after the interview. Hours after landing in the UK, the father and son had a lengthy conversation about Prince Philip.
And it seems that Prince Charles was convinced during the conversation with Prince Harry that he deserved a second chance because he brilliantly “manipulated” his sons into working on their relationship.
After the private church service in honor of Prince Philip had ended at St George’s Chapel, several limousines arrived to pick up the royal family to drop them at Windsor Castle.
However, Prince Charles stepped in with a stroke of genius, and he made gestures to send them away.
As the empty vehicles were being driven away, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, and several other royal mourners exited the church and decided to walk to the castle.
Kate Middleton discreetly stepped back to cry, and the brothers removed their masks and had a conversation about their late grandfather.
Royal expert and journalist Richard Kay explained: “For instead of hiding behind the bulletproof glass of their chauffeur-driven cars, the family walked side by side together, ripped off their face ma. Insteadalked.”
He added: “This could have been a moment of risk; instead, it allowed us the first glimpse of the possibility that somehow William and Harry can put their bitter split behind them and rebuild that once whisper-close bond.”
The brothers are expected to meet again in person in July, when Prince William and Prince Harry will unveil a statue in commemoration of their late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Royal fans have praised those first steps towards unity.
