King Charles’ two sons, once so close after their mother Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997, have fallen out in recent years after Harry and Meghan gave up their royal titles to move to the US .
The couple were in Britain for a brief visit when the Queen, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died on Thursday.
Like other senior members of the Royal Family, Harry rushed to be with the Queen as her condition deteriorated at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. A spokesman for the heir to the throne said an invitation for the Windsor walk had been issued by William.
A royal source described it as a major show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family. They got out of the same car, all dressed in black.
The two couples didn’t interact much during the 40-minute walk near one of the Queen’s favorite English homes, as they stopped to read messages left among the flowers, shake hands and chat with the thousands of people lining the Long Walk.
At one point, Meghan was hugged by a woman in the crowd, as others stretched to shake hands and speak to the four members of the Royal Family on the early evening. William spent some time stooping to chat with children, while Kate and Harry accepted flowers and messages of encouragement from those in the crowd.
Royal watchers had been looking for signs of relaxation amid the pomp and ceremony of a period of national mourning and Elizabeth’s state funeral.
On Friday, Charles used his first address to the nation as king to express his “love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas”.
He also bestowed William and his stepdaughter Kate with the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales, which he and his late wife Diana previously held.
William was heard telling a well-wisher that the days following the Queen’s death had been “so surreal”.
“We all thought she was invincible,” he said.
Under royal rules, the monarch’s grandchildren are automatically eligible to become princes or princesses of the kingdom, so now that Harry’s father Charles is king, his children, Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1, can receive these titles. Lilibet was named after the queen’s childhood nickname.
It is unclear if they will take the titles.
“At the moment our focus is on the next 10 days. As we have more information we will update the (royal) website,” a spokesperson for Charles told reporters.