The return of the "Fab Four" - William, Harry, Kate and Meghan appear together

The appearance was a surprise for the mourners in front of Windsor Castle: on Saturday afternoon, without much prior notice, Princes William and Harry appeared together with their wives.

To the applause of onlookers, the two couples walked down the long avenue through the grounds of Windsor Castle. In front of the castle gates they shook hands, talked to the mourners and received flowers. In addition, the nobles, dressed all in black, looked at the flowers and personal messages that had been laid in front of the property.

The four royals, once known to the British public as the "Fantastic Four" ("Fab Four"), stayed for around 40 minutes, chatted with onlookers and accepted expressions of condolence on the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The brothers' relationship has been strained since Prince Harry married American Meghan Markle.

The break came especially after the two parted from all royal obligations and a revealing interview with US talker Oprah Winfrey, in which Markle in particular accused the British royal family of racism.

Ever since new revelations and exclusive interviews (“Truth Bombs”, as the British tabloid press critically calls them) have been made by the Sussexes, who operate media formats on Netflix and Spotify and advertise them uninhibitedly with ever new details from their private lives, Prince Williams in particular seems to shy away - who now bears the title of Prince of Wales - the contact.

According to British media reports, however, it was the newly elected heir to the throne who took the first step and asked his younger brother and his wife to go public together. A spokesman for the prince later confirmed this version.

The gesture was well received by the mourners, but those involved may have had to exercise some self-discipline, as the British tabloids claim to have observed.

All those involved exchanged only a few words with each other, according to media reports they limited themselves to the exchange with the citizens.

The "Daily Mail" even had an expert on body language evaluate the appearance. The result: Prince Harry in particular seemed anxious and tense, kept looking for close physical contact with his wife, both often went hand in hand. On the other hand, Prince William, who would have shown a clear charisma as a “leader”, was much more self-confident.

According to her, also striking: Duchess Kate avoided direct eye contact with the Duchess of Sussex. Other media judge much more mercifully. Meghan in particular was well received by the younger Britons, as was Catherine, who specifically sought to talk to families with small children.

It was also the first public appearance for Kate and William (both 40) since wearing their new titles - Prince and Princess of Wales. The new King Charles III. had forgiven them on Friday in his first speech to the nation, but also mentioned Harry and Meghan benevolently and described them as an important part of the family.

The couple are currently staying at Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle, just a stone's throw from Williams and Kate's new home, Adelaide Cottage, as part of a long-planned European trip.

According to British media, the couple had no plans to meet despite their physical proximity – that changed with the death of the 96-year-old Queen on Thursday.

It is generally expected that Harry and Meghan will now remain until the Queen's funeral service on September 19.