In a surprising moment that resurfaced memories of the royal past, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince William, and Kate Middleton came together for a public walkabout on Sept. 10, 2022, after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
This brief reunion of the estranged brothers and their wives seemed to offer a glimpse of potential reconciliation within the British royal family, albeit the footage shows one that was also shadowed by evident tension, as the Daily Mail reports.
The passing of a royal typically prompts members of the family to greet the public as they gather in mourning, maintaining a tradition of shared grief.
This custom was vividly recalled in 1997 when Princes William and Harry, still young boys, walked out together in the wake of their mother Princess Diana's death. When Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, the same tradition unfolded, drawing public attention once more.
The walkabout was particularly notable for the scrutiny faced by Meghan Markle, whose actions during the event raised questions about her adherence to royal rules. Speculation about her intent to break protocol continued to swirl, as it had since her earlier appearances as a member of the royal family. Observers remembered an incident from her first joint engagement with the Queen in June 2018, when she had entered a car ahead of Her Majesty, a breach of expected conduct.
Similar protocol missteps have been seen before, as when former President Donald Trump inadvertently made hasty movements during his 2018 meeting with Queen Elizabeth II. Through her journey in the royal family, Meghan underwent training to learn formal customs, including the correct way to greet others and maintaining a reserved demeanor in public.
This particular walkabout, however, attracted applause from onlookers, captivated by the unity of the "Fab Four." Yet, beneath the surface, lingering awkwardness hinted at the unresolved issues behind the royal facade. Speculation arose about King Charles’ role, reportedly directing the appearance to momentarily set aside the feud, ensuring dignity during the mourning period.
An invitation from William led to Harry's participation in the walkabout, with orchestration credited to the Waleses' press secretary. Royal biographer Omid Scobie described the event as essential in maintaining appearances, despite continued tension.
Behind the outward projection of harmony, the relationship between the couples remained uneven. Princess Kate later admitted that the occasion was one of the toughest experiences she had endured. In the eyes of many spectators, Meghan appeared to struggle with accepted royal protocols, with some wondering how she could still misunderstand these practices.
Public commentary was rife with opinions on Meghan's actions and her perceived quest for prominence. "Meghan just does not want to accept hierarchy," observed one royal watcher, while another voiced that "Harry knows what she's doing. She's trying to be the spotlight as always."
The hope that this public appearance presaged a thaw in frosty royal relations quickly dissipated. In the months that followed, new developments would once more distance Harry and Meghan from royal circles. Foremost among them, the airing of their joint Netflix series and Harry’s tell-all memoir, Spare, added further stress to an already delicate situation.
For many members of the public witnessing the walkabout, the symbolism carried an air of optimism about the possibility of healing. One spectator was quoted as saying, "It's lovely to see them both together. Maybe they can get back to a proper relationship." Nonetheless, royal commentator Robert Jobson openly dismissed this notion as mere "illusion."
In retrospect, the Windsor walkabout stands as the last collective public appearance of Princes William and Harry with their wives. While the world watched intently, hoping for enduring peace, cracks were persistent, revealing a complex, evolving royal narrative embroiled in protocol, unity, and division.
