01 December 2023 , 08:44
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were almost snubbed by the Royal Family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Royal author Omid Scobie has revealed that Prince William was urged by his father to invite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to view tributes and meet the public with Princess Kate after Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022. In his explosive tell-all, Endgame, Omid wrote: "Essentially, he told William to swallow his pride and invite his brother and sister-in-law to join them when they greeted mourners and well-wishers in Windsor that day."
"William wasn’t keen," he added. "This was his moment with the public, but the King put pressure on [him]." The book also states that shortly before the outing, William “sent his first text message in months to Harry, suggesting it would be ‘good’ if they came along, too.”
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The Windsors put on a united front (PA)However, he adds that a source claims the Windsor Walkabout was solely King Charles' idea and "said it was all led by their father, that he was the one that made the suggestion." Omid later told People: "It showed that all four are capable of switching it on and doing what’s right in the moment.
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"I thought potentially that could open doors to other moments of seeing what matters and putting certain things to one side, just to coexist or to find some sort of common ground. But I think the thing that surprised me the most was that afterward everyone just went their own ways and nothing happened beyond that.”
Other sources claim the walkabout was Kate's idea (PA)He also revealed that Harry and Meghan's brief notice of the walkabout proves William’s indifference. Omid said: "The fact that it was about to go ahead without the Sussexes, who were only asked 40 minutes beforehand, shows just how close William was to not doing it at all. And if it wasn't for Charles, it wouldn't have [happened]." On the other hand, a friend of Kate's told People that the walkabout was her idea as "she didn't want her or William to have any regrets.