How Kate gave William and Harry a moment together with subtle 'peacemaker' move

Kate Middleton appeared to play a "peacemaker" role with Prince William and Prince Harry at Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday.

There have been reports of "tensions" between the brothers since Harry quit the monarchy in March 2020, and this is the first time they've met face-to-face since Harry's exit.

But the brothers appeared united in their grief at their grandfather's funeral, with Kate spotted walking alongside them.

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Photos from the funeral show the Duchess of Cambridge walking in step with her husband and brother-in-law, sharing conversations with both princes.

She spoke with Harry outside of St George's Chapel after the funeral service for Philip, then walked with him and William for a time.

Kate was then seen leaving the brothers – who have been at odds for over a year – to speak privately as she stepped back.

Several royal commentators have called Kate's behavior at the funeral a "peacemaking" move, after a "frosty" first meeting between the brothers.

"If you watch the arrival of William and Harry, Harry kind of looks over at William but William is very stony-faced and looking directly ahead," royal commentator Ashley Pearson told Weekend Today.

"It is a very frosty initial greeting, if indeed, that is the first time the brothers have seen each other in more than a year."

During the funeral procession, the princes' cousin Peter Philips walked between them, reportedly due to the tense relationship between Harry and William.

However, the feelings between the brothers appeared to shift after the funeral service for Prince Philip.

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"There was some very good reason for hope as they exited the service and Kate Middleton today is being hailed as a peacemaker," Pearson said.

"You may have noticed Harry and Kate lingered. She began the conversation with Harry and then, of course, William joined. It was like the whole nation held its breath as William and Harry then began to walk together up the hill in Windsor."

Pearson noted it's unclear what Harry, William and Kate spoke about during that moment, but it seemed to "push pause" on the brothers' supposed rift.

"One conversation cannot have undone all the damage that's been done and all the bad relationships at the moment, but it was like they pushed pause on whatever problems they have with each other in honour of the day," she said.

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There has been speculation about the moment with Kate, with some viewers wondering if her brokering peace between the brothers was planned.

However, Pearson claimed the moment must have been an impromptu decision by Kate to step back and walk with Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and let her husband William walk with Harry.

Photos of the brothers together have ignited hope for a true reconciliation between them in the near future.

Kate's move was made all the more poignant by the fact that she was said to be "deeply hurt" by Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell Oprah interview in March.

"For Kate to be the one who actually brokered the peace today, it was rather extraordinary," Pearson said.