Subtle way Prince William and Kate Middleton 'threw down the gauntlet'

Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Ettrick Bay during a royal visit to the Isle of Bute on September 17, 2026 in Rothesay, Scotland — (Image credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Prince William and Kate Middleton have proved the old adage 'actions speak louder than words' as the bitter feud with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex enters a new phase.

The Prince and Princess of Wales carried out their first joint engagement since the summer break to mark World Suicide Prevention Day at the home of Everton Football Club in Liverpool.

The visit caught attention for a number of reasons - not least because Kate decided to join her husband at what was expected to be a solo outing for the prince.

While to many casual onlookers this may have been interpreted as just another official engagement carried out by the two most popular members of the Royal Family, in reality this was the regal equivalent of flexing their combined muscles in a show of solidarity that sent a message to the Sussexes.

William and Kate clearly want to ensure they take centre stage as they brace for Harry and Meghan to make their next move.

By joining her husband at the event, Kate was in effect throwing down the gauntlet to her brother- and sister-in-law, now that they have returned to the UK.

It is often the subtle signs that count for so much when observing the actions and behaviour of members of the Royal Family. And on this occasion there is little doubt that the couple were determined to make a statement.

A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)

Kate is rumoured to be accompanying William to Mumbai in November for The Earthshot Prize ceremony, a trip that would mark their first significant joint overseas official engagement in four years.

It's another sign of a strategy that appears to signal the next stage in the war of the Windsors.

So far William and Kate have avoided saying anything publicly about the years-long feud with the Sussexes. But they are clearly keen to meet the challenge posed by Harry and Meghan head-on.

This feature first appeared in Woman magazine. Subscribe now and get your first 6 issues for £1.

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Duncan Larcombe is an award-winning journalist and former Royal Editor of The Sun. As well as this prestigious role, he also worked as the paper’s Defence Editor, which saw him reporting from the front line with British and American troops in Afghanistan.

Throughout his career, Duncan has become a leading expert on the Royal Family, in particular Prince Harry, having written the best-selling biography Prince Harry: The Inside Story.

On top of his successful career as a writer, Duncan is regarded as a leading royal commentator and is a regular fixture with US TV network, ABC.