How Kate Middleton Played 'Peacemaker' For Princes William, Harry At Philip's Funeral: Report

Kate Middleton may have served as a "peacemaker" and helped Prince William and Prince Harry break the ice when they reunited for the first time in over a year at their grandfather Prince Philip's funeral this weekend, a royal expert says.

The Duke of Sussex and Duke of Cambridge did not walk side-by-side during the procession for the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Saturday. However, the brothers were seen exiting the chapel together and talking after the service.

The Duchess of Cambridge joined her husband and brother-in-law and was also seen walking behind them at one point. Royal author Katie Nicholl suggested that Middleton had something to do with the siblings' friendly reunion.

"It's always been my understanding that behind the scenes, Kate has tried very hard to forge a rapprochement and act as a peacemaker between William and Harry," Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight. "She loves Harry. She says that she is the sister that he never had. She has been heartbroken to see them fall out, and I think she is one of the few people, one of the few family members who would actually be able to push the brothers together, which she did in a very subtle way, but was very effective."

"I certainly think she played quite an important role in getting the brothers to the point where they were able to engage in a conversation, of course, in front of the world's press. Everyone was watching," she added.

Nicholl noted that the focus during the event was the late royal, Prince Philip. No one in the family wanted to give too much attention to Prince Harry and Prince William's alleged rift, but they were also aware that the world was watching them.

The royal author said she believes many were relieved when they saw Prince Harry and Prince William's anticipated reunion. For her, Prince Harry looked relaxed when Middleton started speaking with him.

Meanwhile, body language expert Judi James earlier said the "moment" between Prince Harry and Prince William appeared genuine and was not just an act for the cameras.

"In a well-coordinated but also relatively natural-looking moment Harry walked up behind William and Kate to then join them, walking between them and chatting to them both," she told Daily Mail.

"After a few seconds of what looked like natural and not self-conscious conversation Kate fell back, leaving the two brothers walking off, talking alone. It looked like a genuine moment of unity rather than something contrived for the cameras," she added.