The estranged brothers, Prince William and Prince Harry, came together yesterday for a memorable meeting, uniting once again in their grief.
The couple, embroiled in a bitter feud, attended together the funeral of their uncle, Sir Robert Fellowes, who died last month at the age of 82. Prince Harry secretly flew from the US to accompany Prince William to the service at St. Mary’s Church in Snettisham, where the couple and Spencer’s relatives paid their final respects.
It was the first time the two had attended the same event since the coronation of their father, King Charles, in May last year, but they were not seen sitting together or speaking on the day.
Previous reports had suggested that the two had barely spoken to each other since the funeral of the late Queen nearly two years ago, and their relationship had deteriorated so much that, according to sources, Prince William does not want Prince Harry to attend when the time comes.
But at yesterday’s service, they seemed to have managed to put their differences aside, although there were signs that they continue to keep their distance from each other. According to The Sun, both brothers attended the service “inconspicuously”, sneaking in and out quietly. And during the service, they tragically sat separately at the back of the church.
A source told the paper that they only met the brothers at the end of the service, adding: “They came in very discreetly,” while another source said the two did not speak to each other, saying: “William and Harry were both there but they were never seen talking to each other and kept their distance.
” Tansey, who led yesterday’s service, similarly recounted what the brothers said to him after the service. He told The Sun: “Prince William only shook my hand when I was greeting the congregation on my way out, and Prince Harry shook my hand shortly afterwards.
I was surprised they both came, but it was a really, really pleasant surprise,” he added. “On their way out, they both thanked me for the service and I thanked them for coming.” The reception took place after the service, which was described as a memorial rather than a funeral.
The priest said it was a very relaxing and warm place. However, he added, “I don’t remember them speaking to each other, but a lot of family and friends were there speaking to them, including Lord Fellowes and Jane, the widowed sister of Princess Diana.” So it means a lot that both brothers attended the service.
“Prince Harry is very close to Robert Fellowes’ widow Jane. She and her sister Sarah attend all of Harry’s events in the UK, including Archie’s christening. The thought of having to meet his estranged brother would not have bothered Harry as much as the other way around. I’m sure they would have been civil to each other. A funeral is not the time to make grades.” Or, as Prince Harry knows all too well, it’s actually time for reconciliation.”
The last time William and Harry were photographed side by side was during a stroll with their wives in Windsor in the days following the death of their grandmother in September 2022. Prince Harry has lashed out at royal relatives, especially Prince William, in his hit Netflix series and explosive memoir, Spare, where he accused William of shoving him into a dog bowl during an argument over Meghan.
Earlier this month, The Sunday Times reported that Prince William is unlikely to forgive his wife Kate for her tirade in Spare, with one friend saying “they are estranged and it’s very sad,” while another added that Prince Harry is rarely mentioned. In conversations with Prince William, the source explained that “this year he’s very focused on his wife, his children and his fatherhood.” On August 31, 1997, she died in a fatal car accident in Paris, aged 36, meaning tomorrow marks the sad anniversary of her death.
Prince Harry has mentioned Princess Diana and her legacy in recent public appearances, including last month when he received the controversial Pat Tillman Award at the ESPYs for his work in organizing the Invictus Games for wounded soldiers.
Lord Fellowes, the uncle of Prince William and Prince Harry, who was buried yesterday, was married to Princess Diana’s sister Jane for more than 45 years. They had three children together, Laura, Alexander and Eleanor, who are all cousins ​​to William and Harry. Laura is also the godmother of William and his wife Kate’s only daughter, Princess Charlotte.
Lord Fellowes was also private secretary to the late queen in the 1990s, including during the breakdown of Charles and Diana’s marriage. He also advised the late King when Fergie and Prince Andrew’s marriage fell apart in 1992 and Windsor Castle burned, destroying 115 rooms. He was still in this role when his sister-in-law Diana died in a tragic car accident in Paris, aged 36.
His role as a palace courtier meant he often had a strained relationship with his sister-in-law, but when she died suddenly he said: “She was a very good person. She has found it difficult to find happiness in life and I am sad for those who are like that.” Kensington Palace declined to comment.
