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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jessica Taylor

Kate Middleton's kind gesture to help 'defuse' tension between Meghan and Queen

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were stepping down as senior members of the royal family, it came as a shock to their loved ones.

But The Firm remained stalwart and continued with their royal duties in public as usual, attending events and showing their faces.

On event saw Harry and Meghan reunite with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the first time in public since the bombshell announcement.

The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, held shortly before lockdown on 10 March 2020, was Harry and Meghan's final outing before they jetted off to LA.

The Commonwealth Service takes place every year (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Harry and Meghan made their final royal appearance before jetting off to LA (PA)

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Sadly, it wasn't quite the happy reunion we'd hoped for and was reportedly marred by tensions behind the scenes.

The pair had hoped to remain part of the Queen's procession at the beginning of the service. Instead, they were shown to their seats like all the other guests, which reportedly led them to be "upset and emotional."

However, the Daily Mail reports that, in a bid to smooth things over, Wills and Kate made a last minute change to the running order.

The couple offered to skip the procession and join the Sussexes in their seats so they could all wait together for the service to start.

The decision was made so last minute that the order of services was already being printed - meaning they ended up being inaccurate.

Sadly, it's reported their gesture didn't have the desired effect and the meeting of the two couples appeared somewhat awkward.

The Sussexes arrived first and sat in the second row. The Cambridges were shortly behind them, but Meghan and Harry didn't stand to greet them.

During the 2019 ceremony Meghan and Kate greeted each other with a kiss on each cheek, but they seemed more reserved at this event.

While it wouldn't have been possible for them to kiss, the two couples exchanged only one or two words as they waited for the Queen and Prince Charles to arrive.

Kate and William reportedly offered to sit out of the procession too (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Meghan, who was already sitting down, could be seen saying "hello" and giving an awkward wave.

Harry also said hello, but that was as far as their conversation went, with Harry turning to talk to his wife.

Then Sophie Wessex, who was sat behind Kate, leaned forward to chat to the Duchess while Harry and Meghan spoke to Prince Edward.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge reportedly tried to relieve tension with Meghan and Harry (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

There had been rumours of a rift between the two couples in the months leading up to Meghan and Harry announcing their intention to step down.

These were fuelled when the couple scrapped their plans to live at Kensington Palace, just a few doors down from the Cambridges, and moved to Windsor instead.

William and his dad Prince Charles were reportedly "incandescent with rage" when they were sent their announcement just 10 minutes before it was shared with the world.

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