Revealed: Why Meghan Markle took two nervous steps back after seeing Kate for the first time since she gave the Oprah interview

They had just come off the back of their explosive Oprah interview which laid out a series of shocking accusations against the Royal Family. 

Prince Harry and Prince William had not been seen together since the Platinum Jubilee during which they sat at opposite sides of the cathedral.

And even though the walkabout was intended to be a show of solidarity following the death of the Queen, it was a notoriously awkward event.  

Taking place just two days after the Queen’s death, the two brothers and their wives put on a united front to greet well-wishers and view the flowers outside the gates of Windsor Castle.

Despite once being dubbed the ‘fab four’, the Waleses and the Sussexes were not seeing eye to eye.

It was later reported that Kate found her walkabout ‘one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do’ and Meghan’s body language suggested she was less than comfortable being there.  

Kate told a senior royal it was so difficult for her because of the ‘ill-feeling’ between the couples, veteran royal correspondent Robert Jobson said in his biography Our King.

It was reported that Charles ordered his warring sons to set aside their ongoing feud ahead of the Queen’s funeral, leading the pair to reunite in public for the first time in more than a year.

Later, Mr Jobson said sources close to the Royal Family confirmed to him that the show of unity was an ‘illusion’.  

As they walked along the gates of Windsor Castle together, temporarily putting aside the differences sparked by the Sussexes’ departure, they appeared to maintain a significant distance from each other.

The couples only came together briefly at the start and end of the engagement.

In one moment from the walkabout, which in all lasted around 30 minutes, Kate and Meghan are seen making eye contact, Meghan nods and Harry places his arm around his wife as she takes two nervous steps back. 

William appeared to be asking the group to pose for a photograph and Meghan was feeling awkward.  

Body language expert Judi James told Femail at the time: ‘This is a phenomenal and unexpected scene that displays some natural caution and awkwardness in the body language.

‘Although as a statement of intent it seems choreographed as something of a loving tribute the Queen and in some ways the new King, who took what was maybe the first step in speaking of his love for Harry and Meghan in his recent speech.

‘The four line up together to suggest some form of unity and it is William, with his puffed chest and air of confidence, who looks like the leader and instigator. 

‘Harry performs some clothing touch anxiety rituals but Meghan seems to be on hand to offer comfort, support and encouragement.

‘Kate looks slightly distanced although she is close to William when the couples split slightly.’

During the walkabout there were multiple tense moments captured on camera.

In another moment Kate was caught on camera flashing an intense glare at Meghan before she quickly turned her expression into a big smile for the crowd.

Body language expert Katia Loisal said she believed Kate’s ‘icy stare’ knocked the confidence out of Meghan.

‘Quite unlike the confident Meghan we know, Meghan appeared ill at ease during this encounter, which is not surprising given the recent criticism that she has faced,’ Katia told Seven News. 

‘On numerous occasions Meghan looked over at Kate, however, the gaze wasn’t reciprocated,’ Katia said.

The expert noted Kate chose to ‘look through’ Meghan instead.

It is not surprising Meghan was hoping for some reassurance from Kate, who was perhaps primed to give the still-new Meghan advice.

Kate’s lack of warmth towards Meghan appeared to make her feel uncertain and uncomfortable, said Katia, which can be seen in the way she stooped her head, side-stepped and faced away from Kate. 

‘Meghan’s hand lifted hesitantly as if to wave, but stopped mid-air, rather pausing to adjust her hair, her head and gaze lowered, before looking up and giving a quick wave, her arm coming back to rest in front of her body in a partial arm barrier,’ Katia said. 

Meghan’s body language did not go unnoticed by Harry, according to Katia, who touched her arm gently and came to her side to protect her. 

The walkabout had come at a challenging time for the two couples.

In October 2019, the Sussexes released their documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey where they spilled details about their intense media scrutiny and the rumoured royal rifts.

The last time Meghan and Kate had been seen together was during the Commonwealth Day service in March 2020, during which Meghan was smiley and upbeat. 

The Sussexes’ tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey aired in March 2021 during which they made shocking accusations, including racism, against the Royal Family. 

Katia claimed Kate’s actions at Windsor castle made it look as though she was trying to ‘freeze out’ Meghan. 

According to body language expert Judi James: ‘When the couple clasp hands it is Harry’s fingers wiggling downward while Meghan’s are curled around his palm, with her thumb gently stroking his hand. 

‘She performs touches on his back and small strokes and other tie signs and there are some moments when she is the one looking across for communication with William and Kate.’

Since Harry’s high-profile security appeal loss, hopes of another reunion between the brothers is increasingly unlikely.

In his recent bombshell BBC interview Harry said his father ‘won’t speak’ to him but claimed he wants ‘reconciliation’ with his family.

The emotional interview came after the prince was left ‘devastated’ after sensationally losing his battle over taxpayer-funded police bodyguards – putting him on the hook for £1.5million in legal costs.

He added that he ‘can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point’.