King Charles ‘ordered warring brothers to reunite’, leading to Fab Four’s shock reunion
King Charles reportedly demanded his sons set aside their feud as Meghan Markle’s frosty exchange with a royal aide is caught on camera. Watch the video
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King Charles reportedly ordered his warring sons to set aside their feud ahead of the Queen’s funeral, leading the pair to reunite in public for the first time in more than a year, it has been revealed.
The Daily Mail reports that Prince William attempted to bury the hatchet by extending an “11th-hour olive branch” to his younger brother Prince Harry by asking him to join him on a walkabout outside Windsor Castle following a phone call with his father Charles.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said that the Prince of Wales had invited the Sussexes to join him and the Princess of Wales during the surprise walkabout.
Behind the scenes, according to The Times, the camps required extended talks beforehand which delayed their arrival by 45 minutes.
It comes as new video emerged of the Duchess of Sussex looking annoyed after a royal aide interrupted her on the surprise Windsor walkabout.
While the conversation cannot be clearly heard, Meghan is not happy with what she is being told and appears to dismiss him, before turning her back.
Allegations that Meghan bullied staff while she was a senior royal in The Firm, were leaked just before the Sussexes bombshell interview with US TV host Oprah Winfrey in March last year.
The Duchess has always strenuously denied the allegations.
During the walkabout, Prince Harry told mourners gathered outside Windsor Castle “it’s a lonely place up there now without her” as he met crowds of wellwishers outside the late Queen’s estate.
“Every room she was in, we felt her presence throughout,” he told rapt onlookers of the Queen who died last week at the age of 96.
It came as warring brothers Prince Harry and Prince William finally appeared to put their ongoing feud aside as they grieved their grandmother together in a show of unity at Windsor Castle.
The princes, accompanied by Princess Catherine and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, greeted crowds and looked at tributes left for the monarch.
The quartet went on a 40 minute walkabout inspecting the sea of floral tributes laid outside the gates of the royal estate in tribute to the late Queen.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted by enthusiastic applause as they walked along the gates of Windsor Castle together - temporarily putting aside the differences brought on by Prince Harry’s departure from the royal family, which plunged the monarchy into one of its most severe ever crises.
Meghan was greeted warmly by the crowd and even got a hug from one royal fan.
It also emerged that Prince William extended the olive branch to his brother and Meghan, inviting the Sussexes to join him and the Princess of Wales on the walk, which Kensington Palace confirmed.
But the Sussexes’ friend and preferred journalist Omid Scobie later claimed on Twitter that the invitation was made at the “11th hour”.
However, hinting that Prince William is prepared to melt the ice between them, he declared: “It is, without a doubt, a significant moment in the history of the relationship between the two brothers.”
The two couples were at a service of thanks for the Queen during her Platinum Jubilee in June but reportedly did not speak.
Royal fans cheered as the reunited quartet looked at the floral tributes left for the monarch.
Kate and Meghan both wore black dresses as they left the gates of the Berkshire estate.
The Waleses had always been scheduled to greet well-wishers at Windsor Castle, but royal sources say the decision to invite the Sussexes was made in the eleventh hour. It is, without a doubt, a significant moment in the history of the relationship between the two brothers.
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) September 10, 2022
Prince Harry held his wife’s hand as they walked together and he later placed a protective hand on her back.
She was seen returning the favour to her husband before she went to speak to the waiting royal fans.
Meghan smiled as she was handed a bouquet, while Prince William also took time to speak to the crowds.
Prince William’s spokesperson confirmed he invited his brother and Meghan to look at the tributes with him and Kate.
It is understood he believed it was an important show of unity at a difficult time for the family.
The olive branch is also a clear indication Prince William may be willing to move on from the difficulties their relationship has endured in recent years.
They were last seen together in public at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
But they are believed to have kept out of each other’s way and didn’t acknowledge each other during a service of remembrance at St Paul’s.
It is understood that relations between the once-close pair are still at frayed but the joint appearance could see a thawing of hostilities
Prince Harry’s exit from royal life is still said to be raw for his older brother – especially after it was revealed that the Duke of Sussex was planning a tell-all book.
KING CHARLES NOW HEAD OF STATE
Australians young and old gathered in their hundreds to witness the proclamation of King Charles III.
In a short formal ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra, Governor-General David Hurley made the new monarch’s accession to King of Australia official.
“May King Charles III have long and happy years to reign over us,” he told onlookers.
“With hearty and humble affection, we promise him faith and faithfulness.”
General Hurley arrived at Parliament House around midday and was greeted with a smoking ceremony and welcome to country by Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan.
She said the new King would be “thoughtful in his rule”.
“No matter what your views, Queen Elizabeth lived a life of service, and she also was also a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,“ Aunty Sheridan said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, federal ministers and MPs from both sides of politics watched on while the Australian Army Band Corps performed the first rendition of God Save the King in more than 70 years.
The flags surrounding the building were raised to fly at full-mast and a 21-gun salute boomed throughout the typically quiet capital.
Sunday‘s ceremony was the first time a proclamation has been read at Australia’s current Parliament House.
The Australian proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II took place at Canberra’s Old Parliament House.
Earlier at Government House, where Mr Albanese and members of the Federal Executive Council recommended the proclamation be made, General Hurley noted Australia was entering a new era.
“Most Australians have not known a time without Queen Elizabeth II … Australia is an unfinished product. It is now entering a new era,” he said.
Flags around Parliament House, and government buildings, will return to half mast at dusk, where it will remain until after the Queen’s funeral.
Later in the week, Mr Albanese and the Governor-General will fly to London for the funeral and to meet the King.
WILLIAM’S TRIBUTE TO ‘GRANNIE’
Earlier, Prince William paid an emotional tribute to his grandmother, the Queen, days after she died at the age of 96.
In his first public comments since the Queen’s death – and as the newly appointed Prince of Wales – Prince William said “it would be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real”.
“On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute,” he said in a statement posted to social media.
“So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 10, 2022
“I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade.
“She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real.”
He also praised the Queen for the 20 years of “guidance and support” she had given his wife, the new Princess of Wales.
And he spoke about how the couple’s children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have created memories that will last “their whole lives” thanks to holiday spent with the Queen.
“I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all,” he said.
“My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen.
In the poignant statement, the heir to the throne promised to honour the memory of the Queen by supporting his father, King Charles III, “in every way”.
Prince William returned home to Windsor the day after the Queen’s death to join the newly titled Princess Catherine of Wales and the couple’s three children.
As the rest of the royal family – minus Prince Harry, but including Prince Andrew – thanked wellwishers at Balmoral, Prince William watched as his father was formally declared King Charles III at a historic Accession ceremony.
It was the first time he has been seen in public since his grandmother’s death.
During King Charles’ first public address on Friday night local time, he awarded his eldest son and daughter-in-law the titles Prince and Princess of Wales.
“Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru,” he said.
“With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.”
The name change means not only is Prince William following in his father’s footsteps, but Princess Catherine is the first person to use the title Princess of Wales since Princess Diana.
ANDREW JOINS ROYALS AT EMOTIONAL WALKABOUT
Meanwhile, Prince Andrew has stepped out in public as he joined the royal family for an emotional walkabout to inspect the many flowers and messages left for the Queen outside of Balmoral where the monarch died last Thursday.
The disgraced prince was seen consoling his two weeping daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, as they read messages from wellwishers in tribute to the Queen.
To the waiting cameras, Prince Andrew said of his mother: “We’ve been allowed one day, now we start the process of handing her on.”
Cameras also captured the moment he hugged his family including his brother and sister-in-law Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex shortly after getting out of a cavalcade of Range Rovers – before waving to a crowd of mourners at the Aberdeenshire estate who loudly clapped the senior royals.
Earlier, Prince Andrew joined his daughters and other members of the royal family to attend a prayer service at the nearby Crathie Kirk church.
The Queen regularly visited the small church during her stays at her beloved Scottish estate.
Three of the Queen’s four children – Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward have all been at Balmoral since Thursday where the monarch died at the age of 96.
Also at the castle on Saturday local time were the Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Princess Anne’s husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Queen’s grandchildren Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Lady Louise Windsor.
Hundreds of members of the public lined the route from the gates to pay their respects.
After the morning church service, the royal family walked by wellwishers and thanked them for their support.
There they took time to look at flowers and tributes left for the late Queen.
The family spent just under 10 minutes intently reading the tributes and admiring the flowers before they returned inside Balmoral Castle.
Prince Edward, accompanied by his wife who was holding hands with their daughter Lady Louise, thanked wellwishers lining the route back to Balmoral Castle. Hearing one group had travelled from Glasgow to pay tribute to the Queen, he said: “Thank you very much for coming all that way, we appreciate it.”
‘INSPIRING’: CHARLES’ VOW AS HE TAKES THRONE
Earlier, King Charles III was officially proclaimed monarch with Prince William and Queen Consort Camilla at his side in a solemn and archaic Accession Council ceremony televised for the first time in history.
The Queen’s eldest son, 73, who has “dreaded” his mother’s death for years, automatically became King upon her death, assuming the title and its enormous responsibilities, but the Accession Council declared his official elevation into the role Saturday night.
The new Prince of Wales, Prince William, and the King’s wife Camilla and British Prime Minister Liz Truss signed the proclamation before Privy Counsellors in the Picture Room of the State Apartments of St James’s Palace.
Amid great fanfare, with trumpets to herald the dawn of the new king and reign from the balcony of St James’s Palace, the former official residence of the Queen where the constitutional formality was held, Charles was declared King.
Some 200 members of the 700-strong Privy Council were invited to St James’s Palace for the ceremony, including six former prime ministers: Boris Johnson, Tersa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major.
Camilla signed her name as “Camilla “R” for regina, a Latin term for queen. A throne was seen on the platform, which includes the Queen’s “ER” cypher.
A new one is being designed that will be “CR”, which stands for Charles Rex.
An emotional Charles set the tone for his reign having already promised to mirror his mother’s “unswerving devotion” during her record-breaking seven decades on the throne.
The King joined after he was proclaimed monarch, to make his declaration and hold his first Privy Council meeting.
With the Prince of Wales and Camilla at his side, the King, wearing a black suit and tie, confirmed his “willingness” to serve the country as head of state and head of nation.
Describing a “heavy task” laid upon him, he said he prayed for guidance of God to guide him in his reign, saying: ”It is my most sorrowful duty to announce to you the death of my beloved mother the queen.
“I know how deeply you, the entire nation, and I think I may say the whole world, sympathise with me in the irreparable loss we’ve all suffered.
“It is the greatest consolation to me to know the sympathy expressed by so many to my sister and brothers and such an overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family, in our loss
“To all of us as a family, as to this kingdom, and the wider family of nations, of which is a part, my mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service.
“My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, its dedication, and its devotion.
“I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty, which have now passed to me.
“In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example.”
Calling on the support of his wife, he went on: “I know that I shall be upheld by the affection and loyalty of the peoples whose Sovereign I have been called upon to be, and that in the discharge of these duties I will be guided by the counsel of their elected parliaments.
“In all this, I am profoundly encouraged by the constant support of my beloved wife.
“I take this opportunity to confirm my willingness and intention to continue the tradition of surrendering the hereditary revenues, including the Crown Estate, to My Government for the benefit of all, in return for the Sovereign Grant, which supports my official duties as Head of State and Head of Nation.
“And in carrying out the heavy task that has been laid upon me, and to which I now dedicate what remains to me of my life, I pray for the guidance and help of Almighty God.”
Opening the ceremony, MP Penny Mordaunt said: “My Lords, it is my sad duty to inform you that her most gracious Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away on Thursday, the 8 of September 2022 at Balmoral castle.
“I propose that when certain necessary business has been transacted, the deputation consisting of Her Majesty His Royal Highness, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of York, the Prime Minister, the clerk of the council, and myself, shall wait on the king and inform him the council is assembled. I now call on the clerk of the Council, to read aloud the text of the proclamation.”
The clerk of the council said: “Whereas it has pleased almighty God to call to his mercy our late sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the crown of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to Prince Charles, Philip Arthur George.
“We therefore, the Lords Spiritual and temporal of this realm, and members of the House of Commons together with other members of her late majesty’s Privy Council and representatives of the realms and territories, alderman, citizens of London and others, with one voice and consent of tongue and heart publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, is now by our the death of our late sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and happy liege Lord.
“Charles III, by the grace of god of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of his other realms and territory, King, head of the commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all faith and obedience with humble affection, beseeching god by whom kings and queens do reign to bless his majesty with long and happy years to reign over us.”
He said “God Save the King,” which members present returned in unison.
Flags lowered in mourning for the Queen will fly at full-mast again after the meeting.
Out in the open air there was plenty of pomp and pageantry.
State Trumpeters from the Household Division sounded their trumpets from the balcony above the Friary Court at the strike of 8pm AEST.
The Garter King of Arms, reading the first and Principal Proclamation from the balcony, proclaimed “God Save the King”.
The National Anthem was played.
One of the orders approved by King Charles III during the proclamation ceremony, was for the day of the Queen’s funeral to be a Bank Holiday. A date has not yet been confirmed.
Members of the public were admitted into the Friary Court to witness the proclamation of King Charles III.
They came, carrying their pets, deck chairs and children and the infirm on walking sticks and mobility scooters.
AUSSIES LINE UP TO SEE KING CHARLES III
Landing in London from Melbourne, Shelley Dour made Buckingham Palace her first port of call.
The Australian wanted to be part of history and managed the timing to be one of just 1000 to see King Charles III proclaimed monarch at St James.
“It is a bit odd, the whole concept of having a King and him being King but he has wanted this for a long time so hopefully it is everything that he hoped,” Dour told NewsCorp Australia. “The Queen had an amazing life. This is my first port of call.”
Standing in the queue to enter St James, Dour continued: “I didn’t know how it would be when I was here. It is going to be interesting to see how it unfolds over the next week. It is a pretty momentous occasion so I wanted to be here and possibly take a picture for my kids to tell them when I am old and grey that I was there when the king was proclaimed.”
A smattering of Australians wanting to be a part of the historical moment were among those making it into the special viewing area at St James. It was open to the public on a first come, first served basis.
Some waited for hours while others joined the queue while on their morning walk like Belinda Miles.
“This was a morning walk and also just to take in the occasion, which is pretty historic,” said Miles, who has lived in London for the past seven years and comes from Potts Point in Sydney. “It has been quite sombre. It is a day of history with some more to come during the week and it is really lovely to be a part of it.”
Kristy Longford from the Gold Coast happened to be in London on holidays with her partner, Mark, when the Queen died.
“It is a really special time. This is a part of our history so we wanted to be here today for the special occasion,” Longford said.
Asked what she thought of the new King Charles III, Longford was cautious with her words.
“It will be interesting. Certainly how he has been over the past couple of days, there definitely seems to be a different feeling in London as we give condolences to the Queen but also celebrate the changeover to the King.”
QUEEN’S FUNERAL DETAIL
It comes as Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, on September 19, will be an event unlike anything the world has ever seen.
While we have witnessed big royal funerals at Westminster Abbey before, no reigning monarch has been farewelled in that hallowed space in more than 250 years.
Before her death, the Queen played a role in the arrangements for her own funeral, the plans and protocols long discussed and even rehearsed by Buckingham Palace to meet any contingency.
The Covid-19 precautions which were in place for Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021 – leading to those moving images of the Queen left to mourn her husband of 73 years on her own – have thankfully been lifted, which means Westminster Abbey can accommodate its capacity crowd of 2000.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is expected to lead the hour-long service, with the Royal Families and heads of state of many nations expected to attend.
“Practically every nation on earth is going to want to send their king, queen, prime minister or president for the funeral,” former Metropolitan police commander Bob Broadhurst told PA Media.
Australia’s Governor-general David Hurley and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will both be in attendance, while our very own royal, Princess Mary, is likely to be there with husband Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark. (All the European monarchies are expected to be well represented.)
US President Joe Biden has said he will be there, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip said “If we find the opportunity we would like to be present at this ceremony”.
Somewhat less clear is the provision for any celebrity guests.
While celebrities have been an increasing presence at royal events over the years, the gravity of the occasion suggests it will be unlikely there will be too many Hollywood blow-ins.
That said, there can always be exceptions.
Royal commentator Neil Sean has told British TV that he wouldn’t be surprised if Tom Cruise scored an invitation, after the Top Gun actor’s star turn at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations earlier this year.
The Royal Family’s faultlines and sensitivities are likely to be scrutinised on the day, especially any signs of tension between Prince William and Harry.
During the procession for Prince Philip last year, the two feuding brothers were separated by their cousin, Peter Phillips, leading to speculation a similar arrangement could be put into place for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
The Duchess of Sussex’s presence will also be a matter of intense interest. Fox News Digital quoted one royal expert who said the Duchess may opt to return to California to be with her children Archie and Lilibet. Expect copious column inches to be written on this subject, either way.
King Charles is expected to play a part in the ceremony, just as the newly-crowned Elizabeth did for the funeral of her father, George VI, in 1952. (The young queen placed the standard of the Grenadier Guards on his coffin at the end of the service.)
Two minutes of silence will be observed out of respect for the monarch.
Queen Elizabeth’s funeral will be the first of a royal monarch to be televised. In 1952, Buckingham Palace agreed to the televising of the procession for George VI, but not the funeral itself – but even this screening was said to have prompted a mini boom in the sale of TV sets. It’s expected the Queen funeral will very likely set new records for live streaming services.
After the funeral, the Queen’s casket will be taken in a procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch, where it will loaded into a hearse and driven to Windsor Castle.
That afternoon, starting at 4pm, the Queen will be laid to rest in a special vault at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in a ceremony to be attended by members of the family only. The Queen’s casket will be positioned near her parents and sister Princess Margaret, who died in 2002, while the remains of the Duke of Edinburgh will be moved to sit alongside her.
The actual burial of the casket will take place even later, at 7.30pm; again, this will be a family ceremony only.
Britain’s official mourning period will continue for seven days after the funeral.
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