Peter Phillips' 'Touching' Gesture For Harry And William To Reunite At Their Grandfather's Funeral

Apr 19, 2021

At Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday, April 17, Prince Harry was seen reuniting with his elder brother Prince William, in what is believed to be the first time since Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey was released in March. 

However, during the funeral cortege, Prince Harry and Prince William were separated by their cousin and Prince Philip's eldest grandson, Peter Phillips. One report suggests that Prince William had requested it, while a friend of Harry's told the Daily Mail, "He's just doing what he's told and getting on with it."

But as the royal family members were seen walking, it appears that Peter Phillips stood back during moments, which allowed the two brothers to be photographed together by the media. One royal commentator made mention of this and believed that whether he did so in order to honor hierarchy or simply so that the two brothers could be captured in a photo together, it was a moving moment that didn't go unnoticed. 

Although they walked with their cousin between them, following the ceremony Prince Harry was seen talking with Prince William and his wife, which has raised hopes that the siblings could make up following the fallout from the Oprah Winfrey interview. The moment is believed to be the first time the brothers have spoken in person since the controversial interview was released. Following this brief conversation, the brothers met for "peace talks," as reported by the Daily Mail, away from the cameras in Windsor Castle and with the inclusion of their father Prince Charles.

Peter Phillips' "touching" gesture didn't go unnoticed by Vanity Fair's royal correspondent Katie Nicholl, who said during BBC's coverage, as reported by the Daily Star:

"I noticed Peter Phillips, I know they were walking as a trio, but the way he just stood back. Whether that was something to do with hierarchy or just to enable that image of the two brothers I think will be incredibly touching for many people.”

As it's the first time Prince Harry and Prince William have reunited since the fallout from Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, all eyes were on them to see how they would interact. 

Royal fans did notice that Harry sat opposite Prince William and Kate Middleton during the funeral's chapel service, but when he was pictured speaking with them after it had ended, it signaled a positive sign in their relationship.

Nicholl added that the ceremony was "a moment when the brothers put their differences aside," before adding:

“Clearly there are things that need to be sorted out but if there is one thing we have seen today, this is a family with real emotions and feelings and rifts all being a part of it. It will have been an incredibly emotional homecoming for Prince Harry to be reunited with his family.”

While the interactions of the royal brothers got off to a cold start, it's clear that by the time the ceremony ended, they'd warmed up a bit. In fact, following their brief conversation at the ceremony's end, the brothers met for "peace talks," as reported by the Daily Mail, away from the cameras in Windsor Castle and with the inclusion of their father Prince Charles.

In his and Markle's tell-all interview, Prince Harry claimed that his brother and father were "trapped" in the royal family, which he called "The Firm." The three of them are believed to have talked since the interview aired but that it was "unproductive," reports the Daily Mail. Therefore news that they met for "peace talks" in person, now that Harry is in the U.K., is a big step forward.

Harry flew to the U.K. without his heavily pregnant wife, who was unable to join him in attending Prince Philip's funeral as she was advised by doctors not to fly during this time. It is understood, however, that she had made every effort to join her husband until her doctors did not give her clearance, as per the news outlet. However, it is reported that Markle sent a handwritten note to be left with a wreath at the ceremony, which she's believed to have watched on TV. 

Despite being anxious to return to Markle and their 23-month-old son in California, it's believed Harry might stay until the Queen's birthday on Wednesday, April 21. A source told The Sun, "If all goes well, he could stay for the Queen's birthday."

Upon arriving in the U.K. over one week ago, Harry quarantined at his home, Frogmore Cottage, in Windsor for five days, and was able to attend his grandfather's funeral as the rules allow funeral attendance on compassionate grounds. As Harry is already in the U.K., it makes sense for him to stay for his grandmother's 95th birthday, the first she'll celebrate without her husband in 73 years.

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