Once upon a time, there were two princes who were brothers and best friends, and they married two wonderful women who also seemed to get along. Together, they were known as the Fab Four. But one day, the fun stopped, the family ties fractured, and they were never seen together again. We're talking about Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, and Prince William who seemed to have a great relationship early on, but things devolved quickly.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were first pictured with Harry and Meghan in late 2017, after they got engaged. All was well for a while, but it wasn't long before a rift opened. Prince William and Harry reportedly had a big fight just as Meghan and Kate were having their own feud. The end result was that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex split off from the Cambridges, and eventually, Meghan and Harry stepped down as working royals.
But let's take a walk down memory lane to when things were still good, shall we? That's more fun. Here is a look back at all of the happy times the Fab Four had together.
Where We Last Saw Them
Before we get to the happier days, let's take a look at how things ended between the Fab Four. At Harry and Meghan's final stop on their farewell tour as working royals, the four crossed paths at the Commonwealth Day celebrations.
… and it could not have been a more tense reunion.
First Christmas
Meghan was allowed to go to the royal Christmas Mass before she was an official royal. The family was warm and welcoming to Harry's new fiancée, and the photos show the Fab Four getting along splendidly. They all walked to church together with big smiles on their faces. How sad to go from this to Meghan and Harry skipping Christmas altogether.
First Charity Event
At one point, there were hopes of the Fab Four working harmoniously within their Royal Foundation charity. Things started off well enough when they all attended the inaugural Royal Foundation Forum shortly before Meghan and Harry's wedding. But later, Harry and Meghan would leave the Royal Foundation to start their own.
All Having Fun
At the same Royal Foundation event, the foursome watched another panel from the audience, and they all looked like they were having a good time. These smiles would eventually fade, but it's nice to look back and remember what was, right? The Fab Four started off on such a high note.
Catching Up
A few months before her wedding to Harry, Meghan attended the Commonwealth Day service, along with William and Kate. It was a glimpse at what one of her future roles would be as a royal. Kate seemed happy to see Meghan, turning to speak to her as soon as she stepped out of the car. William and Harry quickly engaged in conversation as well.
Glad to Be There
It's just such a marked difference from their first Commonwealth Day celebration to their last. In 2018, the Fab Four spent a lot of the service with each other, and none of them look tortured to be there. They're all smiling and happy and talking as a group. How fast things can change.
Balcony Smiles
The Royal Air Force put on a show for the royals in the summer 2018. Meghan was officially a royal at this point and had a prime spot on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the proceedings. Everyone seems quite joyful about the Air Force's display but also just to be there, together.
Telling Jokes
In fact, this was quite possibly one of the most jovial Fab Four encounters ever. At some point, it seems like someone even made a joke that cracked them all up. We love every face that they're making, from Meghan's sheepish smile, Harry's smirk, William barely keeping his laughter in, and Kate letting hers out. We'd like to think it was Queen Elizabeth who told the joke.
Walking Side by Side
Maybe everyone was in such a good mood during that Royal Air Force celebration because they were all treated as equals. Often, protocol dictates that William and Kate — as the future king and queen — walk ahead of Harry and Meghan. But on this occasion, they all walked as one.
Louis' Christening
Prince Harry is reportedly a doting uncle, so, of course, he was there for Prince Louis' christening. He brought his new bride along as well, and they took a charming photo with the Cambridges — as well as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Charles. We loved when they were one big happy family. Too bad by the time Archie was christened, things were pretty awkward.
Family Gathering
To celebrate 100 years of the end of World War I, the four royals attended a service together. As they arrived, they quickly clumped into a group to talk before the proceedings. In addition to all being sharply dressed — props to their stylists — they all seem happy to be in one another's company again.
Deep in Conversation
The foursome was seated together at Princess Eugenie's wedding and wasted no time talking before the ceremony started. Sure, William seems engrossed in his program, but Meghan, Harry, and Kate got on well as they chatted away. Harry looks positively riveted by whatever Kate said. Maybe it was palace gossip!
Happy Christmas
Much like their first Christmas, the Fab Four looked glad to be together at the 2018 Christmas service. They again walked as a unit, with Meghan and Kate at times leaning in to whisper good-naturedly to one another. Those big smiles can't be fake, can they? They look genuinely happy.
Chitchat
Even as recently as the 2019 Commonwealth Day service, the Fab Four still looked like they were getting along. Just a year later, things would be falling apart between them, but at least we'll always have this sweet picture of Kate and Meghan leaning over their husbands to talk to each other.
Birthday Fun
Nothing like a family function to bring out the lighter sides of everyone. For Prince Charles' 70th birthday, the whole gang gathered to celebrate. They took a serious photo first, but then they let their true personalities shine through, and that's how we got this fun photo of everyone laughing. Good times.
