Kate Middleton and Prince William, the recently crowned Prince and Princess of Wales, were seen with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Saturday greeting well-wishers at Windsor Castle and observing some of the many tributes left at the home of the late Queen Elizabeth.
It has been some time since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been seen in the company of Kate Middleton and Prince William. The Sussexes were invited by William, according to Kensington Palace.
Both couples wore black as they surveyed the scene, solemnly reading messages left out for their late grandmother and grandmother-in-law, though they were cheered for by the crowd upon arrival.
The castle has been inundated with people since the Queen’s death was announced on Thursday. Kate and William recently moved to nearby Adelaide for the benefit of their children’s schooling. Harry and Meghan’s home in the U.K. is on the Windsor estate, though their primary residence is in Mendocino, California. They are expected to stay in the country until the Queen’s funeral with is planned for September 19.
Prince William has been very busy with new duties since his grandmother’s passing, and earlier on Saturday he witnessed his father King Charles III be officially proclaimed as the new monarch at St. James’s Palace in London during the Accession Council of the Privy Council. He also released an official statement on Instagram, writing, “On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.”
He continued, “I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.”
“She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” William concluded.
The Prince’s relationship with his brother has been strained since he and Meghan left for California after stepping down as working royals. Seeing them together clearly means a great deal to the country during this historic moment of change.
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.