Harry, Meghan ‘reached out’ to Kate before her Trooping the Colour appearance to mend feud

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly tried to mend their feud with Princess Catherine before her appearance at Trooping the Colour.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reached out to Kate Middleton before her triumphant return to the spotlight at last week’s Trooping the Colour ceremony, according to a report.

Middleton, 42, delighted fans by joining the royal family for King Charles’s birthday celebrations on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Despite not having seen the Princess of Wales since news of her cancer diagnosis came to light, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly extended an olive branch to the royal, who is currently undergoing treatment for a form of cancer.

“Both Harry and Meghan have been following Kate’s recovery with huge interest, but sadly it’s had to be more from afar because their lines of communication with the palace and the Waleses, in particular, are very limited, to say the least,” the New York Post reported from a source.

Catherine, Princess of Wales smiles as she travels by carriage during Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace on June 15, 2024 in London. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“They have had enough information to know that people are excited about the idea of a comeback for Kate and they’re both relieved and happy to hear that she’s on the mend and may soon be well enough to return to her duties.”

“They’ve jointly reached out to send well wishes, but they’re still not really in a place with Kate to warrant much of a response,” the insider said, adding that this “hasn’t stopped them from trying to connect.”

“When Kate gets back into action, their hope is that it might take some of the heat off them and possibly trigger a truce with her and William, and with the King, too,” the source claimed.

While Prince Harry has visited the UK twice this year, he has not met up with his estranged brother Prince William and his wife.

Instead, the Duke only saw his estranged father, King Charles, in February. He did not meet with any family members during his three-day trip to London in May.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex travel down The Mall in a horse drawn carriage during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Markle did not accompany her husband for either of the trips.

Instead, she flew to London to meet Harry at Heathrow Airport before the pair immediately jetted off to Nigeria together.

“Meghan’s desperate to come across as the bigger person and end this feud between them — appearing like some sort of royal saviour could only do her image good,” a source told the outlet.

“And, despite all their bad blood, her heart does go out to Kate — she can only imagine how hard this situation must be for her.”

“Meghan has made it clear she’d love nothing more than to move past all the nonsense and find a way towards healing for everyone’s sake. She’s ready to let the anger and bitterness go,” the insider added.

Meghan and Harry with other members of the royal family at the 2018 Trooping The Colour on June 9, 2018. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Post has reached out to reps for the Sussexes for comment.

Markle, 42, “hopes her feelings are being communicated to Kate through their mutual friends,” according to the source.

“There’s no doubt making peace with William and Kate would be a huge relief for Meghan on many levels, not least because it would also improve her reputation and, in turn, the new brand she’s cultivating,” they added. While it’s unclear if the Waleses are open to a reconciliation, former royal butler Grant Harrold exclusively told The Post that he believes it’s “too late” for the two camps to bury the hatchet.

CHARLOTTE TAKES ON ‘PROTECTIVE’ ROLE

Princess Charlotte acted as her mother’s “wing woman” as Princess Catherine made her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis, according to a body language expert.

The adorable nine-year-old was keen to step up to support her mother at Trooping the Colour, body language expert Judi James told The Sun.

“Charlotte seems to be acting as Kate’s wing-woman here, which is so sweet,” Ms James said.

“There were strong hints that Charlotte is the child primarily protecting and supporting Kate at this event.

Princess Charlotte turns to watch as her mother cautiously alights from the glass coach. Picture: Getty Images

“Sitting opposite her mother she performed the kind of body language rituals that Kate would normally have done, smiling over her shoulder at the crowds and waving with enthusiasm.”

Ms James said Princess Charlotte’s role as the day unfolded was similar to that of “a guard of honour” for her mother.

Princess Charlotte played a protective role on her mother’s big day, a body language expert says. Picture: AFP

She told The Sun: “When they got out of their carriage the three children got out first to form a sweet and very touching line facing their mother, almost to greet her as she alighted with an air of caution.

Princess Charlotte travels in the glass coach with her mother and brothers. Picture: Getty Images

“The two boys turned to lead the way inside but Charlotte movingly performed the kind of military turn you would see on the parade ground, her hair flying out, looking for all the world as though she was Kate’s personal guard of honour.”

Mother and daughter clearly adore one another. Photo: Getty Images.

Fans on social media also pointed out Princess Charlotte’s ever-growing resemblance to the late Queen Elizabeth II as well as Prince George’s apparent growth spurt.

One posted on X: “Princess Charlotte is the late Queen, hands down.”

Another fan wrote: “Charlotte looks more like the Queen every year.”

Others were stunned to see how tall Prince George was getting.

Prince George has grown considerably taller. Picture: Getty Images

“Oh my … how tall is George? He’s above Catherine’s shoulder,” said one X user.

Another said: “George looking just like his father. And so tall. Can’t believe it.”

While Catherine and William are well known for being extraordinarily hands on with their children, regularly seen to be personally doing the school run, it is clear Catherine and Charlotte are now even closer than before.

In the past six months Princess Catherine has taken a break from her normally gruelling schedule of royal work to rest, connect with her children and recover.

Given Princess Catherine returned to work just six weeks after Charlotte was born, attending the 2015 Trooping the Colour in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth, the challenging time the Wales family is going through has also given them the gift of family time.

Charlotte has clearly been taken style inspiration from her beautiful mum. Photo: Getty Images.

Mother and daughter made a beautiful matching pair with Princess Charlotte’s navy and white sailor dress echoing her Princess Catherine’s Jenny Packham outfit.

Charlotte was her mother’s shadow all day, looking up to her with clear adoration.

A touching behind-the-scenes video released by the Prince and Princess of Wales showed their bond was just as strong away from the crowds.

In a heartwarming moment, Catherine tenderly strokes her daughter’s hair, unaware her affection is being captured on camera.

Little Charlotte had her mother in fits of laughter as she took it upon herself to scold her mischievous younger brother Louis during Trooping the Colour.

Lucky Kate has Charlotte to help keep cheeky Louis in line. Photo: AFP.

The six-year-old was merrily dancing along to the bagpipes when Charlotte clearly thought he should have been adopting a more serious approach to the parade.

“Do as you’re told!” she admonished him to her mother’s amusement.

The palace has been clear that this time around Trooping the Colour does not signal a return to work for the still recuperating princess.

So it seems Charlotte will have mummy all to herself again for a little longer.

Originally published as Harry, Meghan ‘reached out’ to Kate before her Trooping the Colour appearance to mend feud