Claim Meghan Markle’s demand delayed ‘Fab Four’ walkabout

The Fab Four’s shock reunion was reportedly delayed by nearly an hour due to a request from Meghan Markle.

The Fab Four’s shock reunion was reportedly delayed by nearly an hour because the Sussexes had to get changed into formal mourning attire, a royal expert has claimed on US TV.

NBC’s Daisy McAndrew told the Network’s Today show she believed Meghan Markle needed to have her “hair and make-up” done before stepping out on the Long Walk at Windsor to view floral tributes.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on their surprise walkabout. Picture: Kirsty O'Connor / POOL / AFP

It comes amid earlier reports that the surprising joint walkabout between Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex only happened after “extended and tense” negotiations, which delayed the quartet’s arrival to greet the public at Windsor by 45 minutes.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry look at floral tributes on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle. Picture: Chris Jackson, WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince William and Princess Kate were originally expected to meet the public from 4.30pm local time in Windsor, but they were delayed by 45 minutes as negotiations went on around whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would join them.

The joint appearance by Princess Catherine, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was unexpected. Picture: AFP.

Ultimately, the foursome emerged from the same car at 5.15pm local time to the surprise of the waiting crowds.

Royal sources suggested that Prince William wanted to smooth things over with his younger brother by extending an “11th-hour olive branch”, by asking him and Meghan to join him and Kate on a walkabout outside Windsor Castle after a conversation with his father, King Charles.

The appearance reportedly only happened after “tense” negotiations. Picture: Getty Images.

On Saturday, a Kensington Palace spokesman said that the Prince of Wales had invited the Sussexes to join him and the Princess of Wales during the walkabout.

However, according to The Times of London, the camps required extended negotiations beforehand which delayed their arrival by 45 minutes.

Before the display of unity, brothers had barely spoken for more than two years after the Sussexes left Britain for the US. And it was the first time the couples have been seen in public as a foursome since Commonwealth Day in March 2020.

The four read condolence messages left in tribute to the Queen. Picture: Getty Images.

The four attended a Thanksgiving Service for the Queen in June as part of her Jubilee celebrations but they did not interact or acknowledge each other and were seated on different sides of the church.

“The Prince of Wales invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to join him and the Princess of Wales earlier,” a senior Palace source told The Times.

The quartet looked at the sea of floral tributes left for the Queen and spoke to royal fans outside Windsor Castle. Picture: Getty Images.

“The Prince of Wales thought it was an important show of unity for the Queen at an incredibly difficult time for the family.”

But it is understood the relationship hasn’t fully healed, and the walkabout was more a temporary truce.

The quartet initially appeared strained as they turned left through the gate to look at the thousands of flowers.

As the crowd applauded, Meghan held Prince Harry’s hand.

Crowds lined the route near Windsor Castle. Picture: AFP.

Still, royal fans who had come in their hundreds to the gates of the Windsor estate to mourn the Queen, were thrilled to see the two princes walk out side-by-side with wives Kate and Meghan.

The two couples went on an 40-minute walkabout inspecting the sea of floral tributes laid outside the gates of the royal estate in honour of the much-loved monarch.

The quartet waved and smiled to the waiting crowds. Picture: AFP.

Onlookers said they spoke to the Duke of Sussex about the Queen’s passing, asking him if he was “missing” her.

“The castle feels so quiet. You can feel her presence in every room,” he said, telling wellwishers Windsor was “a lonely place up there now without her”.

But royal experts say that this huge moment could provide a turning point in the strained relationship between newly-titled Waleses, and the Sussexes, who have been at odds following a series of damaging interviews by Prince Harry and Meghan.

Originally published as Claim Meghan Markle’s demand delayed ‘Fab Four’ walkabout