William and Harry could walk side-by-side at Queen’s funeral

Palace planners are putting the finishing touches on arrangements for the Queen’s funeral, including plans for brothers Harry and William.

William and Harry could walk side-by-side behind the Queen’s coffin in plans to be discussed in coming days, The Sun can reveal.

They were separated by cousin Peter Phillips as they followed Prince Philip’s cortege at his funeral 17 months ago, during the height of their feud, reported The Sun.

But on Saturday William, 40, issued a remarkable invite to Harry and Meghan to “show unity for the Queen” and see the flowers laid for her while meeting the public outside Windsor Castle along with Kate.

Palace planners are still putting finishing touches on arrangements for two royal family processions behind the Queen’s coffin in London.

However, The Sun understands there will be discussions about whether the brothers could again be seen at each other’s sides.

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William and Harry may again present a united force during the Queen’s funeral. (Photo by Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP)

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Sussexes reportedly only had minutes to get ready for the flower visit on Saturday.

The couple, who were in the UK for charity commitments, have only a skeleton staff with them.

Meghan has decided not to fly home to pick up their children, son Archie, 3, and daughter Lilibet, 1, as she feels it is “inappropriate” to leave the country at a time of royal mourning.

However it has been reported that her mother Doria Ragland could escort the young children over before the funeral.

Details of the two family processions — due to take place on Wednesday and then at next Monday’s funeral — are still being finalised.

But an insider said: “We are certainly not in the same place as Philip’s funeral when William and Harry didn’t walk side-by-side.

“Things haven’t changed but it is not as intense and they can coexist.

“But the flower visit really doesn’t change anything. It is the same situation as at Prince Philip’s funeral when William and Harry put their differences aside and supported each other and their families in that moment.”

The younger royals greets mourners at Windsor. (Photo by Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP)

On Wednesday, King Charles will lead a family procession behind the coffin from Buckingham Palace, starting at 2.22pm, to the Palace of Westminster.

A spokesman for the King said discussions are continuing.

He added: “Some of this is, ‘Who is going to walk all that distance and not?’. We don’t go into any more detail but it’s that kind of thing that is being involved in the discussions.”

Details of the second royal family procession to Westminster Abbey for next Monday’s funeral have also yet to be finalised.

The Queen’s eldest grandson Peter Phillips, 44, stood between William and Harry as they walked behind the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin at Windsor Castle in April 2021.

Harry was unable to wear a military uniform after his titles were stripped in the exit settlement. The whole family wore morning suits.

Since then, Harry and William have stood side-by-side for the unveiling of Princess Diana’s statue at Kensington Palace last summer but they did not meet when the Sussexes returned for the Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.

Their cousin Peter Phillips separated William and Harry at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in 2021. (Photo by Paul Edwards-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Harry, 37, and Meghan, 41, had been due to travel back to California on Friday but plans were ripped up when the Queen died on Thursday.

Sources claim the couple immediately agreed to accept William’s olive branch on Saturday but had very little time to get ready.

They arrived in the UK last Saturday with two PR officers who were there to cover three charity events in Manchester, Dusseldorf and London.

Also with them was Archewell’s head of media Miranda Barbot. Chief aide James Holt has remained in the United States.

It is understood the couple planned to issue a statement about the Queen yesterday but it is expected to be released today instead.

Claims they had prepared a walkabout for US television and that William asked Charles before inviting the couple were denied.

Despite the show of unity, the two families have not been around to each others’ homes.

William’s family of five have recently moved into Adelaide Cottage, a short walk from Frogmore Cottage where Harry and Meghan are staying.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said details of the procession on Wednesday and Monday will be released closer to the time.

A spokesman for William did not want to comment.

This article was originally published on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission