A professional lip reader has offered new insight into a reportedly tense interaction involving Prince William, Prince Harry, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in the days following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The moment is said to have taken place on 14 September 2022, when members of the royal family gathered during a period of mourning. While the public saw a composed and united front, recent analysis suggests that emotions behind the scenes may have been more complex.
A Difficult Moment for the Royal Family
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II marked a deeply emotional time for the family. Alongside their grief, longstanding tensions between certain members were widely reported in the media.
A Channel 5 documentary, Lip-Reading The Royals, has since revisited key public appearances from that period. The program examines body language and alleged conversations during significant moments, including a walkabout at Windsor Castle shortly after the Queen’s de:ath.
What the Lip Reader Claims Happened
According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, there appeared to be a strained exchange between Prince William and Prince Harry during the Windsor walkabout.
The two brothers were joined by Catherine, Princess of Wales and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for what was their first joint public appearance following the Queen’s passing.
Hickling suggests that Catherine appeared to intervene, allegedly telling the brothers to stop arguing. She also claims that William encouraged the group to move forward, possibly in an effort to de-escalate the situation.
At one point, Harry was reportedly seen tapping William on the shoulder. According to the lip reader’s interpretation, William then questioned the situation, while Meghan appeared to urge restraint, allegedly saying “Not today.”
Harry is said to have responded in a similarly calming tone, suggesting the moment was not appropriate for conflict.
Maintaining a Public Show of Unity
Despite the alleged tension, the royal family later presented a unified front during the formal funeral events.
Both Prince William and Prince Harry took part in the ceremonial procession, walking behind the Queen’s coffin alongside their father, King Charles III.