Prince Harry has, reportedly, tested negative for COVID-19 following his arrival in the United Kingdom on Sunday, April 11, to attend the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Philip. The Duke of Sussex might be able to see Queen Elizabeth in person just before the ceremonies.
According to Hello, Harry could take some time to have a private moment with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, since he has been cleared of the dreaded virus. The duke has been spending his time in quarantine at his home in Frogmore Cottage since his arrival.
Prince Harry is expected to meet the rest of the royal family in person just hours before the funeral starts on Saturday, April 17, in the morning. The Duke of Sussex will be marching alongside his father, Prince Charles, brother, Prince William and his uncles, aunt and cousin.
However, Harry and William will not be walking side-by-side as it was earlier reported. The queen has decided to flank the brothers with their eldest cousin, Peter Phillips, in between them. The queen has also accommodated Harry by asking the royal family to be in mourning clothes instead of military uniforms. The duke is no longer allowed to be in military regalia since he resigned from his royal roles in 2020.
After the funeral, Harry might not be able to join the royal family if they decide to gather. According to royal expert Victoria Murphy, the Duke of Sussex has been allowed back in the U.K. on "compassionate grounds" but he is still expected to quarantine five days after the event and limit his interactions with anyone.
Murphy said, however, that if the duke took a COVID-19 test and was negative then he could possibly be at the family gathering after the burial. Yet, technically, a closed-door gathering of more than six people is still not allowed in the U.K. even as the lockdown rules have been relaxed.
The royal family is expected to observe social distancing at the funeral rites itself, with Queen Elizabeth sitting all alone due to her COVID-19 bubble. The only persons allowed to be near her are the royal staff members from Windsor Castle who have been in her bubble for more than two weeks.
Prince Harry isn't expected to stay longer in London, however, since he has to fly back to Montecito, California, where he has been living since March 2020. His wife, Meghan Markle, is due to give birth in a few weeks. The duke needs to be home as soon as possible to be released earlier from the mandatory quarantine in the U.S.
