The world watched Prince Harry and Prince William following their late grandfather’s casket into St. George’s Chapel, separated by their cousin, Peter Phillips.
The arrangement was reported to be a personal request from Prince William.
The future king would have been seen walking directly alongside his younger sibling — were it not for the rift which has been going on between the brothers for the last couple of years because of Megxit, the Oprah Winfrey interview, and the stories being leaked to the American press.
Once outside the chapel, many viewers were relieved to see the brothers joined by Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, as they chatted for several minutes before walking home together.
Prince Harry told his brother, Prince William, that the funeral service for their grandfather Prince Philip was “as he wanted it,” according to lip readers who have studied the interactions between the estranged pair.
Prince William is reported to have said that the service “was great,” according to lip readers, and praised the music — calling the whole service “absolutely beautiful.”
The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex are also believed to have joined their father, Prince Charles, after the funeral, where they spoke for two hours.
A source said: “Harry obviously felt outnumbered as there are three of them and only one of him so wanted it to be on his home turf. There is no way this is the end of the crisis in their relationships, but it’s a good gesture and a nice way to take the first step towards healing. William, Kate, and Charles all left after about two hours, which was long enough for the process of getting father and brothers talking again to start.”
It has also been confirmed that Prince Harry was able to privately talk to Queen Elizbeth II at least two times before Prince Philip’s funeral.
According to several royal experts and aides, Prince Harry returned home to his pregnant wife, Meghan Markle, a different man, after attending Prince Philip’s funeral.
Paul Burrell, who worked as a royal butler, explained that after Prince Harry spoke to his English relatives, he is now a torn man with his heart split in two.
Burrell believes the Duchess of Sussex might face a challenging situation with her husband if she refuses to understand that changes are needed for the family to heal and reconnect.
He explained: “His heart is on two different sides of the Atlantic now. Meghan will be faced with that dilemma – the bombshell that Harry now feels split in two. Meghan will believe that what they’ve done is right — but Harry will be feeling totally torn, and so things will now have to change.”
A family friend spoke to PEOPLE magazine, confirming that Prince Harry and Prince William’s face-to-face at Prince Philip’s funeral created an opportunity for them to take the first step towards reconciliation.
The insider said: “I think it’s a good start, and it was lovely to see, but this whole argument runs so deep, I don’t think there is any quick fix.”
The funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh, who died earlier this month, age 99, was the first time that Prince Harry had met with his family in person since the bombshell interview with Oprah alongside his wife, Meghan Markle.
Reports say Prince Harry was able to take the first steps towards reconciliation with his brother and father.
However, he faced much “frostiness” upon arriving in the UK last week, with some other senior members of the family — including his aunt, Princess Anne, and uncle Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Commentator Eve Pollard said she hopes Prince William and Prince Harry can “sort their recent troubles out” because the Queen — who celebrated her 95th birthday this week — “needs them both.”
The brothers will reunite in the summer for a special tribute to Princess Diana, and it is not known if Meghan Markle will be able to attend.
