Signs of reconciliation between Harry and William

Princes William and Harry still have a long way to go in terms of reconciliation, but the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, according to insiders, was a “turning point.”

Prince Harry returned to the United Kingdom to attend his grandfather's funeral.

Meghan Markle was advised by physicians not to fly due to her pregnancy, so the Duke of Sussex took the journey alone, and is adopting COVID-19 precautions.

The princes walked behind Prince Philip's coffin before entering the chapel, their first public appearance together following the shocking Oprah chat.

The brothers marched in solemn silence to either side of their cousin Peter Phillips through the procession.

Mr Philips stepped back marginally at one stage, encouraging the brothers to move next to each other, but none of them said anything.

When the Duke of Cambridge, 38, and the Duke of Sussex, 36, spoke to each other after the painful ceremony, they gave hopeful indications that their relationship would recover.

Kate, whom William refers to as the royal family's “peacekeeper,” began a lively conversation with Harry.

Even though he was still wearing his face mask, Harry managed to smile briefly at Kate, his sister-in-law, as the three of them walked away from the rest of the family.

After a few moments, the brothers walked ahead together, while Kate stayed behind to speak to Zara Tindall.

“Harry appeared grateful for the opportunity, and Kate seemed to make a point of letting the brothers walk alone together, having briefly chatted to Harry as well,” a royal source told the Sun.

“It will take a long time to heal on all sides,” a source told the Mirror, “but the initial signs are encouraging. It is very much hoped this is a turning point .”

According to another source: “It's no secret tensions have been running incredibly high of late, not to mention the brothers have barely uttered a word to each other in many months.

“Perhaps with the Duke's passing and their grandmother's call for unity it could be the catalyst for a renewed relationship. Everyone certainly hopes so .”

Their “wounds are still very raw,” according to one royal aide.

“But there is a realisation that everyone does need to reach some form of resolution, if only for the Queen, who has said it is her wish that the family comes together,” they added.

The royals are hopeful that Prince Harry and Prince William, who have had a strained partnership for many months, will be able to reconcile. Other royals, according to Us Weekly, want the brothers to “make some sort of amends.”

There's “hope that they can bond in person and put the past behind them,” but the royals recognize that it'll be “difficult due to the resentment and anger that's existed on both sides.”

Prince Harry and Prince William's relationship was already strained, but it severely deteriorated after the Sussexes' Oprah chat. The Duke of Cambridge was reportedly fuming after the interview with Oprah Winfrey aired, and grew even angrier after his brother disclosed sections of their conversation to Gayle King.