Last week, Kate Middleton was noticeably absent when Prince William and Prince Harry attended the unveiling of a statue dedicated to their late mother Princess Diana at Kensington Palace. Now, a royal expert is speaking out to claim that Harry “put pressure” on William to stop Kate from attending the event.

“I thought that was really fascinating,” said royal expert Richard Eden, according to The Express. “I do think it was pressure from Prince Harry. I think it would’ve drawn attention to the absence of Meghan and would’ve then led to more questions.”

“And they wanted that symmetry of just having the sons and no one else. It’s so sad. Remember, before he met Meghan, Kate would’ve been there on every occasion,” he added. “There would’ve even the joking, the larking around and there wasn’t any of that.”

However, royal biographer Robert Lacey had a different possible explanation as to why Kate may not have been there.

“That’s an interesting question,” he said. “But does it represent pressure from Prince Harry or does it represent thought on William’s part not to overload the balance? Since Meghan wasn’t going to be there, was it Harry whop said, ‘I don’t want Catherine there,’ or was it William who thoughtfully said, ‘well, we’ll do it as a couple of brothers.'”

A source previously revealed that Kate “desperately wanted” to attend the ceremony.

“Out of respect for [Prince] Harry and William, [the royal family] wanted it to be just about Diana’s sons and not a huge public affair,” a source told US Weekly. “Kate was definitely supporting William while physically not being there and really wanted to attend, but the family as a whole decided it was best for the kids and her to stay home.”

The source went on to say that the royal family decided “a few weeks ago” who would be at the ceremony. “Kate watched from afar with” her and Prince William’s three young children as the statue was unveiled.

While speaking to the attendees at the small event last week, the brothers said, “Today, on what would have been our mother’s 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength and character — qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better.”

“Every day we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy,” William and Harry added.