Prince Harry and Prince William attended uncle’s funeral in surprise move but ‘were keeping their distance’: report
Prince Harry joined his estranged brother, Prince William, at the funeral of their uncle this week, surprising many as it was previously believed Harry would skip the event.
The funeral marked the first time the feuding brothers were under the same roof since their father, King Charles’ coronation in May 2023.
The Post confirmed that Harry did attend the service for the late Lord Robert Fellowes at St. Mary’s Church in the English town of Snettisham, located in the county of Norfolk, on Wednesday, August 28. Lord Fellowes, the brother-in-law to their late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, lived in Norfolk.
An insider told The Post that Prince Harry went to the funeral “in a personal capacity,” adding that his trip was not extended. He flew in for the service and left shortly after, the source explained.
Despite the rarity of both brothers being in the same room at the same time, it appears they haven’t made any significant progress in thawing the ice between them.
“William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance,” a Norfolk local told The Sun.
Another person at the service told the outlet, “I didn’t know they were there. They arrived very discreetly.”
Still, some may see Harry and William’s quasi-reunion as a sign of hope. In confirming the news, a close family friend reportedly told The Sun they were “very happy to confirm both princes were there.”
Apart from Harry’s strained relationship with his brother, the Duke’s attendance came as a surprise, given it was previously understood that he would skip the service because of security concerns.
The royal has frequently stated that he feels unsafe bringing his family to the UK without receiving security protection from the British government. He has been embroiled in a longstanding legal battle with the government over being refused official police protection following his stepping down as a senior working member of the Royal Family in January 2020.
Lord Fellowes died on July 29 at the age of 82. His cause of death has not been revealed.
Married to Lady Jane Spencer, the older sister of Diana, Princess of Wales, Fellowes started working in the Royal Household in 1977. He wed Jane the following year. In 1981, Diana married King Charles, then the Prince of Wales.
Lord Fellowes went on to become Queen Elizabeth II’s Private Secretary in 1990, a post in which he served until 1999. Diana passed away in August 1997.
A rep for the Duke of Sussex would not comment on his trip. The Post has also reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.