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Less than three months after announcing their intent to step away from the British royal family, Prince Harry and Megan, Duchess of Sussex have completed their final royal duties. After returning to the U.K. from their blissful new life on Vancouver Island in Canada, the Sussexes hit the ground running, completing a flurry of final royal engagements before Megxit goes into effect April 1.

On March 9, the couple attended their final royal engagement, Commonwealth Day as president and vice-president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust. It was the first time they’d been in public with the senior royals this year.

While the Sussexes had an awkward interaction with Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, they were all smiles and laughs with Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Here’s why.

Inside the awkward British royal family reunion at Commonwealth Day

After Queen Elizabeth II booted Meghan and Prince Harry from her processional at Commonwealth Day, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge pulled out also. They didn’t want the press to analyze their interactions with the Sussexes. Unfortunately, their awkward interactions once they were seated didn’t help.

Though the foursome briefly said “hello” to one another, that’s as far as it went. According to Royal commentator Camilla Tominey, The Daily Telegraph’s lip-reader gave the lowdown on the brothers’ conversation. Prince Harry’s full quote which he is claimed to have said to Meghan was: “He literally said: ‘Hello, Harry’ and that was it and he didn’t say anything more than that.” Yikes, it looks like the tension between the brothers isn’t easing anytime soon.

Thankfully, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex were present to ease the tension. The Sussexes spent the majority of their time chatting with them.

Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex are beloved royal family members

Amid all of the drama that has come out of the royal family in recent years, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex have been a steady force. Edward has molded into a quiet and efficient figure who does not seek attention or acquire headlines,” a source told Express. “He and Sophie are liked for being dutiful and uncomplaining.”

Queen Elizabeth adores the prince and the countess and she is even discussing bumping them up to replace the Sussexes and ease some of the workload from the Cambridges, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have always been close to Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Since Prince Harry and Prince William’s feud stems back before the Sussexes’ engagement — they were always closer to Prince Edward and Sophie. Royal expert Katie Nicholl told Express in April 2019, “According to sources, the Queen has earmarked Sophie as a royal mentor for Meghan. The two spent time together at Royal Ascot last year and are understood to get along well. The pair share similar backgrounds, as Sophie, like Meghan, gave up a successful career (in PR) to marry into the Royal Family, so is in a position to help Meghan.”

The foursome grew extremely close in the past year when the Sussexes moved to Windsor where the Wessexes live. The countess and the duchess also have similar interests and are major advocates for the privacy of their children. For his part, Prince Edward has been working to try and ease tensions between Prince Harry and Prince William.

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