Harry, Meghan, William and Kate reunion photos spark fierce debate

Everyone’s a body language expert when it comes to the royals – and these photos of Harry and Meghan with William and Kate are no exception.

William and Kate welcomed Meghan and Harry back into the royal fold for a public display of unity outside Windsor Castle on Saturday – but some not-so-subtle differences between the two couples are sparking fierce debate among royal watchers.

The Sussexes joined William and Kate – now known as the Prince and Princess of Wales – as they walked down the driveway outside Windsor Castle to greet mourners.

Harry and Meghan walked hand-in-hand, while William and Kate did not – and in a surprising turn of events, William appeared to be walking closer to his estranged brother than he did his own wife, who was shown in some photos walking a noticeable distance away from the other three royals.

Kate practising excellent social distancing there. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty

Everyone’s a body language expert when it comes to the royal family, where so little is publicly said but much is often thought to be signified by way of subtle gestures.

Omg the difference between Harry and Meghan with William and Kate, William and Kate really said S P A C E💀 pic.twitter.com/5RJw95wd3P

— sun⁷ (@cheerellas) September 10, 2022

What did it all mean? Were Kate and William feuding? Or was it more that Kate wanted to stay away from Harry and Meghan?

“The Princess of Wales was trying to be as far away from Meghan as she could possibly be!” one person tweeted.

“Tension much? Poor William & Kate actually look like they in physical pain, having to put up this show,” wrote another.

In some photos, William appeared to stick closer to his estranged brother than his wife. Picture: Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP

“Looks like Kate & William did what they had to do for appearances sake, but they don’t look too happy about it. Meghan I expect is doubly p*ssed that she now has to bow to William & Kate, as the Prince and Princess of Wales,” theorised another.

And of course, other photos taken during the quartet’s long walk down the Windsor Castle driveway disprove all these royal theories – here they are again, all appearing far more in unison:

A more united front. Picture: WPA Pool/Getty

Harry and Meghan’s public displays of affection continued as they viewed the hundreds of bouquets left for the Queen outside the castle gates. The couple were photographed at various points holding hands and with their arms around each other, Meghan linking her arm with Harry’s as he took in the public outpouring of love for his late grandmother.

William and Kate, on the other hand, took the royal ‘stiff upper lip’ approach, with no physical contact and their hands grasped firmly in front:

The two royal couples view the tributes to the Queen. Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty

As some on social media pointed out, the differing displays of affection could be a matter of royal protocol – two people in these photos are senior working royals, and two are not.

“William and Kate are working royals. They don’t have to be lovebirds in front of the cameras,” one person suggested.

“Not everyone needs to hold their husbands hands to feel secure … Catherine is able to walk without holding on for dear life,” said another.

Elsewhere during the quartet’s public appearance, Meghan appeared to get a frosty reception as she attempted to press the flesh with mourners. As Meghan made her way along the crowd, shaking the hands of those who offered theirs, several mourners were caught on camera giving her the cold shoulder – with one woman even dropping her head to avoid coming face-to-face with the Duchess of Sussex.

And another awkward, unscripted moment circulated on social media this weekend, this time from the new King, Charles III, who was caught on camera venting his frustrations that his table had not been adequately cleared as he took his seat to sign the oath for his accession ceremony.

Here in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australians will be given a day off to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

A National Day of Mourning for the late monarch has been declared for September 22, the Thursday after the PM returns from the Queen’s funeral in London.