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Feuding Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle called Christmas Day truce on the Queen’s orders
The feuding duchesses smiled and walked side by side as the royals went to church at Sandringham
KATE and Meghan called a Christmas truce on the orders of the Queen and Prince Charles.
The feuding duchesses smiled and walked side by side as the royals went to church at Sandringham.
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A royal source said: “It was a bit uncomfortable.”
Kate, William, Harry and Meghan are a picture of family affection as they walk side by side to church — after the Queen ordered the feuding Duchesses to make peace for Christmas.
The two couples responded with an unwavering display of unity, with Kate and Meghan smiling and even chatting together.
Both the Queen and Prince Charles had made it plain the rift must be kept under wraps during the Royals’ traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham.
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A source said: “The Queen and Charles have allowed the situation to play out without overtly interfering — but they both made it clear that Christmas was for the whole family to really come together.
“That meant the two couples walking into church together as the Fab Four just like they had last year. Yes, it was awkward and uncomfortable given what's gone on over the past 12 months.
“But the alternative of even more negativity on Christmas Day wasn’t worth thinking about.”
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Her Majesty also wanted Kate and pregnant Meghan to be on good terms by the time they sat down as a family to watch her Christmas speech at 3pm.
The Queen said in the broadcast: “It’s been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two babies and another child expected soon.”
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Duchy-feely
THE body language of the two duchesses suggested it was Kate who was making the most effort to appear friendly.
Meghan clung to Harry’s arm at first. But instead of sticking beside William, Kate deliberately stepped away to walk close to her sister-in-law.
Kate was also clearly making a supreme effort to smile and chat to Meghan.
- By Judi James, Body Language Expert
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The Queen's Christmas Broadcast - Watch Her Majesty's 2018 message in full
During the speech the Queen was pictured alongside photos of Charles’ 70th birthday celebrations, Meghan and Harry's wedding, Princess Eugenie's wedding and a family snap of Wills, Kate and their children.
The Sun has revealed the Duchesses’ growing feud in recent weeks. We told how Meghan had a tantrum after being told she could not have her tiara of choice for her wedding.
It was also claimed William told the Queen he did not think Meghan was a suitable wife for Harry.
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The Sun also revealed Harry and Meghan are moving out of Kensington Palace, where Kate and Wills live, and into a cottage in Windsor.
Prince Charles led the royal procession to church at the Queen’s Norfolk estate, followed by his sons and their wives.
They chatted to royal fans — with Meghan touching her baby bump as she told one: “Not long now, I’m nearly there.”
After the service, Meghan and Kate left church together. Meghan hugged one wellwisher while she and Kate were both given flowers.
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Daniel Chapman and mum Susan Chapman, 52, gave Kate a bouquet.
Daniel, 25, said: “Kate came over and took a bouquet and wished me and my mum a merry Christmas.
“We all said afterwards that there didn’t seem to be the animosity that was rumoured.
“They were all laughing and joking. There was no sign of anything untoward at all. Everyone was easy going and laid-back.”
No Philip or Camilla
PRINCE Philip was said to be in good health — despite missing the royal family’s Christmas Day church service.
The 97-year-old Duke, who retired from duties in August 2017, stayed at Sandringham House instead.
Last Christmas he was at the Queen’s side.
A royal source said: “The duke is in perfectly good health — he is just spending the day privately.”
Also absent from St Mary Magdalene Church was Camilla, who was suffering with a heavy cold.
Kate told one royal fan her children were overcome with excitement about Christmas and had her and William up at the crack of dawn.
The Queen, dressed in grey and pink, arrived at church in a Bentley with Prince Andrew escorting her.
Meghan did a perfect curtsy to the Queen after she was accused last year of bungling it.
As Her Majesty drove away from church, first Kate, then Meghan curtsied neatly and elegantly.
Last Christmas critics said Meghan’s curtsy was “wobbly” and looked amateurish next to Kate’s.
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Kensington Palace declined to comment about the Christmas truce.
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