Kate Middleton painstakingly took the families walkabout outside Windsor Castle torn Queen Elizabeth II.
The Princess of Wales, who was also joined by estranged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to mark the loss of Her Majesty, felt the most uncomfortable amid half-hearted gestures.
Royal alone Robert Jobson says: “Picking up the phone to Harry, he [William] suggested that they and their wives put on a show of unity for the sake of their late grandmother by viewing the floral tributes at Windsor together. Harry accepted.
“The resulting images suggested they’d all slipped back into their Fab Four routine, but Catherine later admitted to a member of the Royal Family that such was the extent of ill-feeling between the couples, the walkabout had been the hardest thing she’d ever had to do.”
Robert added: “At his funeral, Catherine—exuding poise, calm and regal impregnability—took her place as one of the most senior Royal Family members, supporting the frail and grieving Queen and comforting Prince Charles.
Speaking about Kate, the author added: She also deployed her diplomatic skills to try to deal with the bad blood between her husband and his brother as they both mourned their grandfather in silence.
“Harry had walked quickly towards Catherine as he left the chapel behind her husband and other family members.
“Subtly, she increased her pace so they could catch up with William, a few stepsahead.
“She then fell back, to allow the brothers to walk next to each other and at least exchange a few words,” he noted.
