Prince William played a crucial role in the reunion of himself, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday. United, the royal couples appeared outside Windsor Castle to greet the public and view floral tributes in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96 on Thursday. Both Markle and Middleton wore black dresses, while their husbands wore navy suits with black ties. The reunion between the couple – once dubbed the ‘Fab Four’ by the British press – came after William invited his brother and sister-in-law at the last minute. A Kensington Palace spokesman told The Times of London that William, who now holds the title of Prince of Wales, invited the Sussexes to join him and Middleton on a royal stroll in front of Windsor Castle. “The Prince of Wales felt it was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family,” the spokesman added, according to the Times. Reuniting the four publicly required extensive negotiations that ended up delaying their appearance at Windsor Castle by 45 minutes, the publication said. Representatives for both couples did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment. Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were once called the ‘Fab Four’. Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images There have long been rumors of a rift between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and William and Middleton. Following Harry and Markle’s “step back” from royal life in January 2020 and an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey the following year, Insider’s Mikhaila Friel reported that the couple’s relationship with Harry’s royal relatives was still she looks full. For now, however, the former ‘Fab Four’ are likely to spend more time in close proximity. Markle and Harry, who originally traveled to the UK from the US for charity work before the Queen’s death, are staying at their old home, Frogmore Cottage, according to The Telegraph. It is located on the Crown estate in Windsor, where Middleton and William recently moved with their children. Markle and Harry will remain in the UK until the Queen’s funeral on September 19, a spokesman for the couple told Today.
