Saturday 10 September 2022 10:46 PM SARAH VINE: The Queen would have beamed at William, Kate, Harry and Meghan's ... trends now
How happy it must have made our dear departed Queen, sitting up there on her cloud, to see the scene unfolding beneath her at Windsor Castle.
Her grandchildren, William and Harry, and their respective wives, Catherine and Meghan, reunited for the first time since 2020. The Fab Four, back in all their glory. How sad, also, that it took such a tragic event as the death of her late Majesty to make it happen.
If only they could have managed it during her lifetime. But no matter. Her Majesty was nothing if not a pragmatist: better late than never.
Now perhaps she can, from her lofty perch, even look forward to the cousins finally getting to know each other properly.
Imagine that; Archie and baby Lilibet alongside George, Charlotte and Louise, playing together in the grounds of her old home. Wonderful.
King Charles, too, must be delighted.
The Queen would be happy to see William and Harry, and their respective wives, Catherine and Meghan, reunited for the first time since 2020. The Fab Four, back in all their glory
Meghan is seen gazing at Kate as the four admire the floral tributes to the Queen. If only they could have managed to reunite during her lifetime. But no matter. Her Majesty was nothing if not a pragmatist: better late than never
The crowds were expecting to see just Kate and William, but the Crown Prince gallantly offered an olive branch to his younger brother by inviting he and Meghan to join them on their tour
The warring princes are comforted by their respective wives as they gaze down at the floral offerings left by the multitudes of well-wishers
Queen Elizabeth II beams at her great-grandson Prince Louis on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour parade on June 2, 2022. Her Majesty would be delighted to think that her great-grandchildren might grow up and play together
King Charles III's sons Harry and William inspecting floral tributes at Windsor Castle this evening
The two royal couples inspect the floral tributes left outside the gates of Windsor Castle this evening
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex view the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle
After all, he has felt the rift between his boys acutely, and the anger and stinging accusations of his youngest son have cut him to the quick. Nevertheless, like his mother, he has never wavered in his support for Harry and Meghan, never ceased to profess his love for them. Indeed, perhaps it was his short but heartfelt message, delivered towards the end of his highly personal first speech as King, that paved the way for yesterday's reunion.
'Today, I also want to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas,' he said. Only a brief mention, a few simple words, but immensely significant.
By choosing to include their names in such an historic speech, one which will be pored over and remembered for decades to come, the new King left no doubt as to the special place his youngest son and his wife hold in his heart.
It was more than just an expression of paternal love. It was an open invitation, extended in front of the entire nation from a new King: time to bury the hatchet. Time to come together, if not for his sake, then for the memory of the Queen, for granny – and the institution to which she dedicated her existence.
Did he hold out much hope? Who knows. What's clear, though, is that something seems to have dislodged the shard of ice in the brothers' hearts.
King Charles III greets members of the public outside Clarence House, London
King Charles III meeting well-wishers as he returns to Clarence House from Buckingham Palace
The couple landed back in the UK last weekend intending to attend charity events when the Queen died at Balmoral
The new Prince and Princess of Wales look sombre as they prepare to face the public and look upon the enormous floral tribute laid out in tribute to Her Majesty the Queen
Catherine, Princess of Wales, warmly greets people and shakes hands and exchanges words with well-wishers outside Windsor Castle
Meghan stopped to chat to the mourners gathered
William greets a child in the crowd outside the gates of Windsor Castle during the walkabout
Because yesterday afternoon, less than 24 hours after his speech, the Fab Four appeared together on The Long Walk leading up to Windsor Castle to greet members of the public and witness the sea of tributes at the gates.
It was a moment as surprising as it was welcome. Meghan, clutching her husband's hand, no doubt a tiny bit fearful of the reception she might receive. She need not have worried: the crowd reacted with generous relief, just happy to see them not at each other's throats.
Characteristically, it was William who made the first move, in perhaps his first act of duty as Prince of Wales towards his King: to help mend the broken family. We are told that at some point on Saturday morning, he extended the hand of friendship to Prince Harry by asking him and Meghan to join them on the walkabout.
The act of not just a brother, but a dutiful senior royal. Mercifully, the Sussexes accepted.
The resulting reunion will have gladdened the hearts of millions, especially those who have watched with mounting sadness the widening abyss between Harry and his family. It's a pleasant stroll between Frogmore and Adelaide cottages on the Windsor estate. A few short steps for two couples – one giant leap for the Royal Family.
Will it last? We must pray it does. It's hard, looking at the pictures of the two brothers in black, not to be reminded of similar images from a quarter of a century ago, when the young Princes mourned the untimely death of their mother, Princess Diana.
They turned to each other for support then, just as they turn to each other now, as grown men with families of their own. They have much in common, and there is much history between them.
William and Harry are seen conversing as they reunite to mourn their grandmother, the Queen
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex view the tributes left after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle
The Prince and Princess of Wales view the tributes left after the Death of Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle
Death is a great leveller. It puts everything in perspective, makes us see how silly and petty so many of the things that preoccupy us in life can be.
It reminds us of the bigger picture, shows
