Candid moment between the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex is caught on camera
When I turned 21, my parents threw me a fabulous party where only some of the guests passed out on the lawn still clutching empty Ikea champagne flutes.
When Prince Charles hit the big 2-1, his mum threw him a $2.8 million (in today's money) ceremony that involved a castle, a golden rod, and him being officially named as the Prince of Wales. The crown they used, rumour has it, featured a gold spray-painted ping pong ball at its pinnacle. Seriously.
Overnight, the royal family gathered en masse to mark the 50th anniversary of Charles' investiture as the Prince of Wales, a title that has been given to the heir to the throne since the 14th century. (No word on whether the ping pong ball was at the party too.)
The royal family celebrated the Prince of Wales' 50th anniversary of his investiture. Photo / AP
And, what better way to celebrate the auspicious occasion than with an awkward lunchtime champagne function featuring a lot of nervous looking Welsh people squeezed into a Buckingham Palace reception room?
(Let's leave aside the fact that the actual anniversary of the investiture is in July, because the royals have a long tradition of ignoring actual dates when it comes to celebrating occasions, isn't that right, Lizzie "Two Birthdays" Windsor?)
While yesterday's reception was technically Charles' shindig, in reality, we all know the day belonged to the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex. Especially as it was the first time they had appeared together since they were seen chatting and laughing on the way to a Christmas church service at Sandringham.
Kate and Meghan are allegedly feuding - but what if the problem really lies between their husbands? Photo / AP
(Does anyone know how to say "heavily choreographed PR move" in Welsh? No? Just wondering.)
Photos and videos from the Buckingham Palace party show Kate and Meghan, along with their Princely husbands, the Queen, Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Anne having a simply smashing time, trying to remember facts about Welsh music (just guessing) and clutching large glasses of water.
It would be easy to make much of the fact that Kate and Meghan were not once photographed together yesterday, and that they seemed, from what an intrepid royal reporter can glean from Getty Images, to spend much of the time in different areas of the vast room. (Harry and Meghan also seemed to walk behind the other more senior royal couples.)
After all, for months, Kate and Meghan have faced a barrage of stories suggesting that they are feuding and that Kensington Palace has been driven by the UDC (Ultimate Duchess Championship).
However, there was one candid moment caught accidentally on camera that flips the script and tells us so much about Kate and Meghan's real relationship.
The clip shows the royal family approaching a receiving line and Kate can be seen pausing while Her Maj works her regal magic on the waiting dignitaries. As Kate stands there, she can be seen turning, saying something to a person behind her with an enormous smile and then laughing.
Kate was caught on camera smiling widely and laughing to Meghan, who appears behind her in the next frame.
Then, said person steps into view and — DUH DUH DUH — it's Meghan.
The big smiles and laughs shared between Meghan and Kate finally put to bed the rumours of a rift between the two Duchesses.
It is an intimate moment, which appears totally warm and natural and suggests the duo is perfectly comfortable in each other's company.
Since rumours first broke that all was not well behind Kensington Palace walls, blame has largely been apportioned on the Duchesses' designer clad shoulders.
However, yesterday's interaction offers us a tantalising clue that points to the two women not being responsible for the reputed Cambridge/Sussex throw down.
Meghan has faced a barrage of stories suggesting she and sister-in-law Kate are feuding. Photo / AP
And all of this is a timely reminder of the inherent sexism in constantly lumping fault on Kate and Meghan, rather than, say, the balding blokes they married who have had a rocky relationship over the years.
(Never mind that William reportedly told Harry he didn't think Meghan has what it takes to make it as a royal or that Harry was allegedly verging on the tyrannical before the wedding.)
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge looked to be having a great time at the formal reception. Photo / AP
The coming months are chock-full of royal events including St Patrick's Day, the Chelsea Flower Show, Ascot and Wimbledon, which generally see the Windsors emerge and move in a royal pack.
Given everything that has happened recently, it is safe to say that it won't just be the freesias and the fascinators that are going to be held up to global media scrutiny.
Let's hope Kate has some more jokes up her sleeve.
