Why Harry decided to fly back to UK for his uncle’s funeral – and NOT Archie’s godfather’s wedding, reveals expert
A ROYAL expert revealed why Prince Harry chose to jet from America for his uncle’s funeral – but not Archie’s godfather’s wedding.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was able to “discreetly” slip in and out of the UK for Lord Robert Fellowes, who was his mother Diana’s brother-in-law, on Wedesnday.
He was ‘reunited’ with his estranged brother Prince William, who was also in attendance – but the pair reportedly “kept their distance”.
Royal historian Hugo Vickers shared his thoughts on why Harry chose to attend – but snub his pal’s wedding ceremony.
His childhood friend, and Archie’s godfather, The Duke of Westminster Hugh Grosvenor, and Olivia Henson tied the knot in June.
Mr Vickers told The Sun: “I think one of the nice things was that Prince Harry made the effort to come to Robert Fellowes funeral.
“It’s commendable that he was able to come and go without anyone seeing him, that’s quite an achievement. Because it was a private occasion it’s good that it stayed private.
“I suspect the reason Harry came to the funeral was out of affection for his aunt Jane, with whom he would have been close, particularly after his mother was killed.
“His Spencer aunts are very important to him.
“That does make it a different event from going to Hugh Grosvenor’s wedding, a social occasion, it would have deflected from the happiness of the couple because the press would have been right in force.
“On this occasion it’s all rather commendable.”
A source close to the Sussexes previously told People: “There was an acknowledgement on both sides that it would be difficult for Harry to attend.
“It was an understanding between the two friends.
“The decision certainly avoided the inevitable clamour had estranged brothers Prince William and Prince Harry both attended the nuptials, eliminating the possibility of the big day being overshadowed for the couple.”
Meanwhile, there were questions raised over how Prince William and Harry would feel about being in the same room together on Wednesday.
The royal expert highlighted how the pair were together at Prince Philip and the late Queen’s funerals, as well as King Charles’ coronation.
“On an occasion like a funeral I think it’s more than possible for everybody to behave well. They didn’t sit next to each other,” he added.
“I don’t think this will herald any great reunion between the brothers, but I’m sure the spencer and Fellowes families appreciated the fact that Harry came over.”
Although, the royal expert did say he “wouldn’t dismiss” the possibility of a reunion in the future.
It comes after royal fans were shocked to hear of Harry’s presence at the funeral.
Insiders close to the duke had previously suggested he would not be attending over his security fears.
But Prince William and his estranged brother were, somewhat, reunited at the solemn occasion.
The feuding pair have not been in the same place as each other since the King’s Coronation last year, where Harry was relegated to the third row and they did not speak.
It is understood the warring siblings haven’t been in communication since the late Queen’s funeral two years ago.
Wills and Harry reportedly “kept their distance” at the service at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk on Wednesday.
A source told The Sun: “William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance.”
Another added: “I didn’t know they were there. They arrived very discreetly.”
Meanwhile a close family friend said they were “very happy to confirm both princes were there”.
Growing up, Wills and Harry shared many of the same friends who were part of their close, tight-knit circle.
But they’ve have limited contact with each other since Megxit, when Harry and wife Meghan quit royal duties for a new life in the States.
Their relationship took another sour turn after the duke lobbed vile allegations against the Prince of Wales in his memoir Spare.
Tensions may be reignited as a paperback version of the explosive book is set to hit shelves in October.
Royal experts claimed its release could “dredge everything up again” and the “timing couldn’t be worse”.
Spare was originally published in 2023 and launched vile attacks on the Royal Family.
The bitter feud was originally ignited with full force when the Sussexes spoke to Oprah, in their 2021 sit down interview.
Their 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan then exacerbated existing fractures in family relations.
Lord Fellowes
By Summer Raemason
Lord Robert Fellows sadly passed away last month, and left behind his wife, and Harry’s aunt, Lady Jane.
This made Lord Fellowes Princess Diana‘s brother-in-law, and a close member of the royal family.
He even worked side-by-side as an advisor to Queen Elizabeth for over a decade.
When he was the Queen’s private secretary, Fellowes helped guide the public’s perception of the monarchy during the turbulent period of Princess Diana and Prince (now King) Charles.
He received the Queen Elizabeth II version of the Royal Household Long and Faithful Service Medal in 1997 for 20 years of service to the Royal Family.
He remained an Extra Equerry to the late Queen up until her death in September 2022.