The Fab Four’s Windsor Castle walk was reportedly delayed by Meghan Markle

A royal expert has claimed Meghan made a request before she joined Harry, Kate and William to meet mourners outside Windsor Castle.

New reports suggest there was a different reason the Fab Four’s surprise appearance outside Windsor Castle was held up by almost an hour, following claims “extended and tense” negotiations delayed the quartet’s arrival.

Very few were expecting to see Prince Harry’s wife Meghan Markle step out of the same car as Prince William and Princess Kate as the royals met with mourners on Saturday afternoon, particularly given reports King Charles had barred her from travelling to Balmoral with Harry, where the Queen died on Thursday.

The Duchess was reportedly invited by Prince William to join them for the meeting as a last minute ‘olive branch’ that is said to have sparked intense discussions given the messy and long-running family feud between the younger royals.

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The four royals looked anything but united during the appearance. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images.

But while this was initially believed to be the reason the group arrived at 5.15pm instead of 4.30pm as planned, royal expert Daisy McAndrew, who spoke on NBC’s Today show in the US on Wednesday, said it was actually Meghan who stalled the group, The Australian reports.

The Duchess – who would have been understandably nervous to front the British public for the first time in two years, not to mention days after her explosive recent interview in The Cut was published – needed to have her “hair and makeup” done before stepping out on the Long Walk at Windsor to view floral tributes, according to McAndrew.

McAndrew also said the Sussexes needed time to change into formal mourning attire, making it clear just how last-minute the invitation was.

Prince William and Princess Kate were originally expected to meet the public from 4.30pm before the foursome emerged from the same car at 5.15pm local time to the surprise of the waiting crowds.

It marked the first time the four royals had appeared together publicly in more than two years.

Prince Harry was seen close by Meghan’s side during the walkabout. Picture: AFP

The group, flanked by hoards of royal fans on either side of the road, walked together for 40 minutes – with tension thick in the air for the entirety.

Many noticed that the Duchess of Sussex, 41, and the newly minted Princess of Wales, 40, barely acknowledged each other during the outing.

When the Sussexes and Cambridges gathered together at the end of the walkabout, some claimed Kate stared “icily” at Meghan before they waved goodbye to crowds.

A little scary how quickly Kate transitions from icily staring down Meghan to smiling and waving to the crowd. pic.twitter.com/A0zTZFatj5

— Henry VIII (@SussexHenryVIII) September 10, 2022

Another moment saw Meghan brutally snubbed by a member of the public who dropped her head and avoided the former Suits star’s gaze as she shook outstretched hands.

The woman then looked up at the person next to her with a smirk, shaking her head and laughing.

Despite the sense of discomfort shrouding the event, royal experts say it could actually be the catalyst for talks to mend the strained relationship between the two couples, who have been at odds following a series of damaging interviews by Prince Harry and Meghan, intensified by the news that Harry is set to release a tell-all memoir.

Saturday’s meeting couldn’t have been further from how the group interacted back in 2018. Picture: AFP.

Brothers William and Harry 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.

Experts say the show of unity on Saturday was a sign they may be ready to move forward.

Meanwhile, a poignant photo of Meghan gazing over at Princess Kate, seemingly trying to engage with her as she inspected floral arrangements, hints there may be a way to go before the two women make amends.

Rumours of a rift between Meghan and Kate began circulating in tabloids after Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding in May 2018.

At the time, reports suggested Meghan “made Kate cry” over Princess Charlotte’s flower girl dress.

However, Meghan claimed in her interview with Oprah Winfrey in March last year that the narrative was entirely inaccurate, adding “the reverse happened”.

Happier times: The Fab Four in 2017. Picture: Mega Agency.

“The narrative with Kate – which didn’t happen – was really, really difficult and something that I think, that’s when everything changed, really,” Meghan said.

“And I don’t say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised, and she brought me flowers and a note apologising and she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone. To just take accountability for it.”

Meghan said she was then shocked that six or seven months after her wedding the incorrect story was leaked to the press.