Why Prince William Invited Prince Harry, Meghan Markle To Join Him And Kate On Walkabout: Report

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle put on a united front during a walkaround at Windsor Castle following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

In their first public appearance as a foursome since Prince Harry and Markle's final royal engagement in March 2020, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all dressed in black as they greeted onlookers and viewed the flowers and other memorial items left for the late monarch, who passed away Thursday at the age of 96.

Kensington Palace said Prince William, 40, invited Prince Harry and Markle to join him and Middleton, 40, People reported.

An unnamed source told the outlet that security was not expecting both couples at the walkabout.

The heir to the British throne believed that it "was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family," an unnamed royal source told People.

"It's such an extraordinary historical moment and also a deeply personal one for the family that you'd hope and think that all members of the family would unite and support [the King] especially. And perhaps some of those wounds can be healed in the process," an unnamed palace insider told the outlet.

Royal fans were happy to see the four royals together again amid rumored tensions between them before the Queen's passing.

"It was nice to see them all together. Especially, since their mother, Princess Diana, died 25 years ago. Hopefully, William and Harry can be closer going forward," one tweeted.

"Great. William, Harry, Kate and Meghan together! This makes me so happy!" another added.

"This is exactly what we all needed to see right now, and I'm sure the Queen would be delighted to see Princes William and Harry together along with Kate and Meghan," a third user wrote.

While Markle and Prince Harry have been in the U.K. since late last week for a series of charitable events, it was reported that the Duke of Sussex and his older brother had no plans to meet prior to the death of their grandmother.

Amid claims that Prince William and Middleton were avoiding the Sussexes, royal correspondent and "Finding Freedom" co-author Omid Scobie cited an unnamed source as saying this week that Prince Harry and Markle were not shunned but rather "never reached out to the Cambridges."

Earlier this week, royal staff reportedly were "in hysterics" trying to prevent potential unwanted run-ins between Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, whose homes in Windsor, England, share the same gardens.

The walkabout was the second outing for Prince William Saturday.

Earlier in the day, he witnessed the solemn historical moment that saw his and Prince Harry's father, King Charles III, officially proclaimed monarch at St. James's Palace in London.