Princes William and Prince Harry left many well-wishers in Windsor yesterday delighted as they reunited alongside their wives, Kate and Meghan Markle. After months of division, the 'Fab Four' stood side by side at Windsor Castle - their first joint public appearance in 915 days.
The couples embarked on a lengthy walkabout, as they chatted to well-wishers, accepted gifts and swapped hugs, before finally leaving in the same vehicle. A royal source said new Prince of Wales William had asked his brother and his wife to accompany him and Kate. The source said: "The Prince of Wales invited the duke and duchess to join him and the Princess of Wales earlier."
After arriving late at Windsor Castle, reportedly following 45-minutes of negotiations between the two camps, the brothers, with their wives, viewed floral tributes left to the late Queen.
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Thousands gathered outside the palace to greet the royals - with the excited crowd regularly chanting William and Harry’s names to try and get them to come over and speak to them.
Several clips of the royals visit went viral - including a short clip of Meghan speaking to an aide, as she held a bouquet of flowers, Wales Online reports.
There was frenzied debate online about what the Duchess of Sussex said - but it seems clear that it was a polite comment to the aide, who had offered to take the flowers.
In a Twitter post that's been shared hundreds of times, Meghan seems to be explaining that she promised a member of the public that she would place the blooms at the gate.
Posting the exchange on social media, @royal_suitor interpreted the conversation and points out that Meghan says: "I told them I'd place them over there so it's OK. Thank you. I appreciate it though."
The mood between the couples seemed sombre as they arrived and looked at the messages left for The Queen, but later became chirpier as they spoke to the excited crowd.
The couples split up into their pairs, with William and Kate taking one side of the barriers to speak to visitors, while Meghan and Harry took the other side.
Both William and Harry showed support for their wives at certain moments, with both royals delicately placing their hands on their backs as they spoke to the crowd and read tributes.
The Duchess of Sussex was also seen being given a close hug by a teenager in the crowd.
The pair spoke briefly for a few moments and Meghan could be seen assuring her by putting her hand on her shoulder.
The girl then said "Can I have a hug?” and Meghan was seen nodding, before leaning in and giving her a big hug.
The visit in total lasted for just over 40 minutes, with the crowd chanting “Hip, hip, hooray” as the group left.
Angela Fleming, who met the Duke of Sussex, said that the hour-and-a-half wait outside was worth it, describing their appearance as |unexpected.”
Well-wisher Baljinder Ranow, 64, said the visit was "fabulous”, adding: “It was so beautiful to see.
"I felt so emotional and I felt the Queen would have loved it.
"I just hope in the future they remain like that and that the brothers come together, and the families.”
The royals' visit comes just moments after the royal family confirmed the date for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.
A statement issued on Saturday afternoon said: "The state funeral of Her Majesty the Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September. Prior to the state funeral, the Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects."
* This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get poth pullouts.
