Secret Whisper Between Princes William and Harry at Philip's Funeral Revealed
Five years ago today, the Royal Family gathered at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle to bid a final farewell to Prince Philip. The scaled-back service, necessitated by the Covid pandemic, saw estranged brothers Prince William and Prince Harry seated facing each other, their turbulent relationship a subject of intense public scrutiny.
A Poignant Moment of Agreement
According to expert lip readers, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex shared a heartfelt exchange immediately after the emotional ceremony. Prince William reportedly removed his face mask and said to his brother, "Yes it was great, wasn't it," to which Prince Harry appeared to respond, "It was as he wanted." This brief conversation suggested a rare moment of unity, with both princes agreeing that the funeral service perfectly honoured their grandfather's wishes.
The interaction marked a significant moment, as it was the first time Harry had been reunited with his family since relocating to the United States with his wife Meghan Markle the previous year. The reunion followed closely on the heels of the couple's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey just one month prior, which had publicly exposed deep rifts within the monarchy.
Body Language Experts Observe Natural Companionship
Following the service, the brothers were observed walking together towards Windsor Castle, with Princess Kate initially alongside them before engaging in conversation with Duchess Sophie. This left William and Harry to walk and talk side by side, an image that many hoped signalled a step towards reconciliation.
Noted body language expert Adrianne Carter analysed the scene, stating, "Kate seemed to take the lead in chatting, but when the brothers started to walk together it was entirely natural with no sign of stress or discord in their companionship. There was no forced show and no sign of avoiding each other." She added a poignant observation, "In fact William paused so Harry could walk up the hill with them. It looks to me like grief has reunited them."
Royal Hopes for Reconciliation
A royal source commented at the time on the significance of the occasion, noting, "It's no secret tensions have been running incredibly high of late, not to mention the brothers have barely uttered a word to each other in many months. Perhaps with the Duke's passing and their grandmother's call for unity it could be the catalyst for a renewed relationship. Everyone certainly hopes so."
ITN's Tom Bradby echoed this sentiment, reflecting, "It's often said funerals are a time for reconciliation and that's a scene a lot of people wanted to see, not least the family itself." The funeral provided a solemn backdrop against which personal differences might be set aside, if only temporarily.
Meghan's Absence and the Family's Loss
Duchess Meghan was unable to attend the funeral due to her advanced pregnancy with Princess Lilibet, with medical advice strongly recommending against the lengthy transatlantic journey. Nevertheless, she followed the proceedings via a live stream from the couple's Los Angeles home, remaining connected to the events unfolding in Windsor.
Meghan's biographer, Omid Scobie, described the day as "a very sad day for Meghan," emphasising that the Duchess of Sussex was also mourning the loss of a family member. During a broadcast for ABC News, Scobie noted, "Although Meghan isn't here, she is of course supporting Harry. Her mind is very much on the situation over here. We know that she's supporting Harry in this very difficult week for him, but she'll also be sad because this is also the loss of a family member for her."
The Final Farewell to Prince Philip
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2021, at the age of 99. He spent his final days surrounded by family at Windsor Castle before being laid to rest eight days later on April 17. The funeral, conducted with military precision and personal touches, reflected his lifelong dedication to service and the monarchy, creating a dignified tribute that resonated deeply with his grandchildren.
The whispered exchange between William and Harry, now revealed through lip reading, stands as a poignant footnote to a day of national mourning, offering a glimpse of familial connection amidst very public estrangement.
