Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Family were keen to put on a show of unity.
But their choice of display has been described by Kate as ‘one of the hardest things’ she has ever had to do – and Meghan hasn’t been seen on UK soil since.
During the national mourning period, Prince Harry and Prince William observed the tributes and spoke to members of the public outside Windsor Castle – just as they had outside of Buckingham Palace when their mother died.
But this time the brothers were fully grown men and married too, each walking beside their spouse. More importantly, they were now estranged as the Sussexes had dramatically left the Firm two years earlier in January 2020.
The September 2022 walkabout marked two-and-a-half years since the couples had last been seen together in public, at the Commonwealth Day Service just before the Covid pandemic.
The royals, once dubbed the ‘fab four’, were greeted by applause as they walked along the gates of Windsor Castle together. But despite what the pictures would have you believe, the couples only came together briefly at the start and end of the engagement.
Throughout the rest of the walkabout, which lasted around 30 minutes, the Waleses and the Sussexes appeared to stick in their pairs.
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle (pictured at Trooping the Colour in 2018) have never shared a warm relationship with each other
An ‘icy moment’ between Kate and Meghan was captured during the walkabout
It was no secret there was tension between the brothers and their partners – but there was hope that this poignant reunion would be a chance for reconciliation.
But in a telling moment, Kate was caught on camera flashing an intense glare at Meghan before she quickly turned her expression into a big smile for the crowd.
Body language expert Katia Loisal said she believed Kate’s ‘icy stare’ knocked the confidence out of Meghan.
‘Quite unlike the confident Meghan we know, Meghan appeared ill at ease during this encounter, which is not surprising given the recent criticism that she has faced,’ Katia told Seven News.
The walkabout had come at a challenging time for the two couples. The previous October, the Sussexes released their documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey where they spilled details about their intense media scrutiny and the rumoured royal rifts.
Their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey aired in March 2021 during which they made shocking accusations, including racism, against the Royal Family.
Katia claimed Kate’s actions at Windsor castle made it look as though she was trying to ‘freeze out’ Meghan.
After speaking to the crowds the couples made their way to their separate cars. At one point the two Duchesses appeared to be avoiding making eye contact (pictured)
Harry and Meghan’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey aired in March 2021 during which they made shocking accusations, including racism, against the Royal Family
It was no secret that there was tension between the brothers and their partners – but there was hope that this union would be a chance for reconciliation
The two couples, who had not been seen together in an official capacity since March 2020, appeared to maintain their distance from each other
‘On numerous occasions Meghan looked over at Kate, however, the gaze wasn’t reciprocated,’ Katia said.
The expert noted Kate chose to ‘look through’ Meghan instead.
It is not surprising Meghan was hoping for some reassurance from Kate, who was perhaps primed to give the still-new Meghan advice.
Kate’s lack of warmth towards Meghan appeared to make her feel uncertain and uncomfortable, said Katia, which can be seen in the way she stooped her head, side-stepped and faced away from Kate.
‘Meghan’s hand lifted hesitantly as if to wave, but stopped mid air, rather pausing to adjust her hair, her head and gaze lowered, before looking up and giving a quick wave, her arm coming back to rest in front of her body in a partial arm barrier,’ Katia said.
Meghan’s body language did not go unnoticed by Harry, according to Katia, who touched her arm gently and came to her side to protect her.
Communication and body language expert Judi James spoke to MailOnline about the Fab Four’s surprise public appearance.
While the foursome attempted to put on a show of unity as they greeted mourners, who had turned out to honor the late Queen, Judi stated that there were ‘no signs of affection’ between the two couples.
Before the walkabout, the couples spoke to Paul Sedgwick (left), the deputy ranger of Winsor Park, with William and Kate appearing to do most of the talking, as Meghan hung back
Meghan was given flowers when she stopped to chat to the mourners
Body language expert Katia Loisal said she believed Kate’s ‘icy stare’ knocked the confidence out of Meghan
At times, Kate appeared to stand some distance from the group
She said: ‘This is a phenomenal and unexpected scene that displays some natural caution and awkwardness in the body language.
‘Although as a statement of intent it seems choreographed as something of a loving tribute the Queen and in some ways the new King, who took what was maybe the first step in speaking of his love for Harry and Meghan in his recent speech.
‘The four line up together to suggest some form of unity and it is William, with his puffed chest and air of confidence, who looks like the leader and instigator.
‘Harry performs some clothing touch anxiety rituals but Meghan seems to be on hand to offer comfort, support and encouragement.’
As the four emerged from their vehicle, the couples spoke to Paul Sedgwick, deputy ranger of Winsor Park.
At one point during the conversation Harry stepped back towards Meghan, and the pair listened while locked in an embrace, with the Duke’s arm around his wife’s waist.
They started walking, with the two men standing next to each other, while their wives flanked them on the outside. While William and Harry appeared to engage in a brief chat, Kate and Meghan looked straight ahead.
And at times, Kate appeared to stand some distance from the group.
‘Kate looks slightly distanced although she is close to William when the couples split slightly,’ said Judi.
As Meghan and Harry stepped out of the Windsor estate with Kate and William (two days after the Queen’s death) on September 10 2022, they had thousands of people watching their every move
Kate greets people outside Windsor Castle, holding a paper and flowers
During the walkabout the royals looked at floral tributes laid outside the gates of the Berkshire estate in tribute to the late Queen
As they reached the gates, the two couples stopped to look at some of the floral tributes left by well-wishers.
Harry and Meghan stayed close together at the beginning of the event, and often if they were separated, were seen reaching for each other to hold hands.
According to Judi: ‘When the couple clasp hands it is Harry’s fingers wiggling downward while Meghan’s are curled around his palm, with her thumb gently stroking his hand.
‘She performs touches on his back and small strokes and other tie-signs and there are some moments when she is the one looking across for communication with William and Kate.’
It seems Meghan had forgotten proper royal etiquette, which dictates the more senior royals, in this case William and Kate, walk ahead of junior members.
Footage from the occasion seems to show Harry having to pull his wife back with his arm and slow down his walking pace so that she didn’t pull ahead of his older brother.
The Duchess of Sussex shakes the hand of a little girl perched on her father’s shoulders
The Sussexes stopped to shake hands and speak with the large crowd which had gathered
Describing the overall tone of the meeting, Judi said: ‘There’s no signs of relaxed engagement or even affection here but the fact they are lining up together and communicating again is impressive in itself’
Once they finished meeting the public, they reconvened in front of their vehicles, where they had a brief chat, before getting into their respective cars.
Describing the overall tone of the meeting, Judi said: ‘There’s no signs of relaxed engagement or even affection here but the fact they are lining up together and communicating again is impressive in itself.
‘It’s an adult approach from the new Prince of Wales and it could have broken a lot of ice in terms of their body language at the funeral and beyond.’
For just a short walkabout, there was certainly a lot to unpack.
As the months and years pass this memorable day, the question of when – and whether – Meghan will return to the UK remains.
Perhaps this tense engagement was just too much.
