Prince William & Prince Harry Publicly Reunite For First Time In A Year At Philip's Funeral

Carly Ledbetter
·Senior Reporter, HuffPost
Updated ·2 min read
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All eyes were on Prince William and Prince Harry as the brothers publicly reunited for the first time in over a year at Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday.

The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex walked behind their grandfather’s coffin beside their cousin Peter Phillips, who is the only son of Princess Anne, at the beginning of the procession before the funeral.

The brothers have been separated by physical distance over the past year after the Duke of Sussex stepped back as a working member of the royal family and the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

Prince William, left, walks in the funeral procession near Prince Harry, right. (Photo: Royal Family/YouTube)
Prince William, left, walks in the funeral procession near Prince Harry, right. (Photo: Royal Family/YouTube)

After the funeral service concluded, Harry was pictured walking and speaking with both William and the Duchess of Cambridge:

Meghan Markle was unable to attend the funeral service because her physician recommend that she not fly, since she is pregnant with the couple’s second child, a girl. A spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost on Saturday that the Duchess of Sussex watched the funeral from the couple’s home in California.

She also sent along a handwritten note with a wreath from the couple that was laid at the funeral.

The original news that the two brothers, whose relationship has been strained recently, would not walk side by side at the funeral created a bit of a stir earlier in the week.

“These are practical changes rather than sending a signal,” Buckingham Palace told People magazine on Thursday. “This is a funeral and we are not going to be drawn into perceptions of drama. The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty’s wishes as well as the personal wishes of The Duke.”

The last time the brothers were seen in public together was at the annual Commonwealth Service in London on March 9, 2020.  (Photo: PHIL HARRIS via Getty Images)
The last time the brothers were seen in public together was at the annual Commonwealth Service in London on March 9, 2020. (Photo: PHIL HARRIS via Getty Images)

Harry spoke about his relationship with his brother during a wide-ranging interview he and Meghan gave to Oprah last month.

“I love William to bits. He’s my brother, we’ve been through hell together ... but we were on different paths,” he said at the time. “The relationship is space, at the moment. And, you know, time heals all things, hopefully.”

“CBS This Morning” host Gayle King, who is a friend of the Sussexes, said that Harry had spoken with his father and brother after the interview, though conversations were “not productive.”

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives, mask on, for the funeral. 
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives, mask on, for the funeral.
Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Prince William, Earl of Snowdon David Armstrong-Jones, Peter Phillips, Prince Edward, Prince Harry and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence before the funeral.
Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Prince William, Earl of Snowdon David Armstrong-Jones, Peter Phillips, Prince Edward, Prince Harry and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence before the funeral.
Members of the royal family follow the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin before his funeral on Saturday.
Members of the royal family follow the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin before his funeral on Saturday.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard, is seen on the Land Rover that he had helped modify for his funeral.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard, is seen on the Land Rover that he had helped modify for his funeral.
Princes William (left) and Harry walk in the procession.
Princes William (left) and Harry walk in the procession.
Ponies pull the Duke of Edinburgh's driving carriage at Windsor Castle.
Ponies pull the Duke of Edinburgh's driving carriage at Windsor Castle.
Prince Charles cries as he walks behind his father's coffin. 
Prince Charles cries as he walks behind his father's coffin.
The queen arrives for the service.
The queen arrives for the service.
Queen Elizabeth takes her seat.
Queen Elizabeth takes her seat.
The coffin is carried into the quire during the funeral service.
The coffin is carried into the quire during the funeral service.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at St. George's Chapel during the service.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at St. George's Chapel during the service.
The Duke of Sussex sits alone, in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, as he attends the funeral service of his grandfather.
The Duke of Sussex sits alone, in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, as he attends the funeral service of his grandfather.
Images of the queen and the duke are displayed on screens at Piccadilly Circus in London while the funeral is held at Windsor.
Images of the queen and the duke are displayed on screens at Piccadilly Circus in London while the funeral is held at Windsor.
Princess Beatrice of York (right) and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, at St George's Chapel.
Princess Beatrice of York (right) and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, at St George's Chapel.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, needs a tissue.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, needs a tissue.
Wreaths from members of the royal family lie against the pews during the funeral.
Wreaths from members of the royal family lie against the pews during the funeral.
Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank pictured in the pews. 
Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank pictured in the pews.
The Duchess of Cornwall departs after the funeral.
The Duchess of Cornwall departs after the funeral.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.