Moment Kate Middleton 'took control' of 'civil war' between William and Harry at Prince Philip's funeral
It's been five years since William and Harry's grandfather's deathKate Middleton played an important role at Prince Philip’s funeral amid the rift between William and Harry, according to a body language expert.
Five years ago today (April 9), Prince Philip died at the age of 99. His funeral took place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on April 17.
At the funeral service, the Princess of Wales appeared to show “truce-brokering power” as the reported rift between brothers William and Harry, Philip’s grandsons, rumbled on.
‘Rift’ between William and Harry at Prince Philip’s funeral
Weeks before Prince Philip’s death, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tell-all Oprah interview aired in March 2021. In the interview, the couple discussed their experience in the royal family.
They made several accusations in the interview. Shockingly, they claimed that there had been “concerns and conversations” shared by a family member about “how dark” their son Archie’s skin would be when he was born.
Prince Harry even claimed that he had been cut off financially from his family in the “first quarter” of 2020.
The entire service ended without any hint of connection between them.
He also expressed that King Charles and Prince William were “trapped within the system” of the royal family.
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It’s believed that William and Harry’s relationship had been strained for some time. However, they reportedly became more distant following Harry and Meghan’s exit from royal duties in early 2020.
They came face-to-face at their grandfather Philip’s funeral months later in April 2021. However, according to body language expert Judi James, Philip’s funeral service “ended without any hint of connection” between the brothers.
Judi said this is where Princess Catherine stepped up.
Moment Kate Middleton ‘stepped up’ at Philip’s funeral service
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Judi said: “While the world waited and watched, hoping that their grandfather’s death might maybe broker some kind of truce prompted by grief between William and Harry, the entire service ended without any hint of connection between them.
“It was as the royals were leaving though and walking back up the hill in a more casual formation that Kate very firmly and deftly took control of the situation.”
Judi added: “Her truce–brokering power came from the fact that she and Harry were still on friendly speaking terms but it was impossible to imagine that she wasn’t emotionally egged on and motivated by the thought of their grandfather’s wishes.”
Judi also said King Charles “appeared to watch helplessly as his two sons engaged in a civil war that threatened to drive a rift through the entire royal family”.
Following the service, Kate was seen walking alongside Harry as they spoke. According to Judi, she then took “firm charge” and appeared to “steer” Harry “into place beside William”.
In the “most poignant” move, Judi said Kate then “steps back to allow them to walk and chat alone”.
William and Harry’s relationship now
It’s believed that William and Harry aren’t on speaking terms. It comes after years of Harry and Meghan’s tell-all interviews and Harry’s memoir, Spare, which made damning allegations about his family.
Read more: Peter Phillips ‘will invite Prince Harry and Meghan to wedding’ despite family ‘tension’
In the book, Harry alleged that his older brother physically attacked him during an argument in 2019 about Meghan.
Prince William hasn’t commented on the claims publicly.
However, last May, Prince Harry admitted he would love a reconciliation with his family. He told the BBC in an interview: “Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. But I would love reconciliation with my family.
“There’s no point in continuing to fight any more. Life is precious.”
Harry also previously defended his decision to write a book. He told The Guardian that the book “was a series of corrections to stories already out there”.
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