The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the Prince and Princess of Wales as they observed floral offerings to the Queen at Windsor Castle on Saturday.
The foursome also arrived and left in the same car after speaking with members of the public for about 40 minutes, which further surprised the crowds waiting outside the royal residence.
Photo: Getty Images
Normally, the royals arrive at public events in separate cars, but since William and Kate’s new Windsor home, Adelaide Cottage, and Harry and Meghan’s Frogmore Cottage are now close by, it made sense for the couples to travel together.
The Sussexes were invited to join the Prince and Princess of Wales, according to a palace source.
The royals, who were all dressed in black, appeared solemn as they paused to shake the hands of distraught supporters who were lined up behind a barrier.
While Princes William and Harry wore black suits, the two royal ladies both chose classy black dresses.
William could be seen talking intently to someone in the audience and briefly shaking a woman’s hand. Kate and William were seen saying “thank you” to spectators.
Photo: Rex
At one point, Kate knelt down and started talking to a youngster who had started to cry. When Kate approached the crying child, she stopped.
At Windsor, Meghan was also seen shaking hands with a number of kids and well-wishers. The crowd offered the Duke and Duchess bouquets of flowers, which they both accepted.
As one spectator waved a Welsh flag in the background, others in the crowd also gave William and Kate bouquets of flowers. William received a tiny Paddington Bear at one point, which he later gave to an assistant.
At one point, as Kate knelt down once more to talk to a child in front of the gates, he was seen lightly touching her back.
Photo: Getty Images
The Queen’s funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey on September 19 at 11 a.m., according to a statement from Buckingham Palace on Saturday.
A formal coronation of King Charles III was also performed in front of the Accession Council at St. James’s Palace.
