Princes William and Harry recently reunited under somber circumstances but displayed clear signs that their rift remains unresolved. The brothers attended the funeral of their late uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, at St. Mary's Church in Snettisham on Friday, but their interaction-or lack thereof-has sparked fresh speculation about the state of their relationship.
Harry, who had flown in secretly from the United States, joined William at the service for Lord Fellowes, the husband of their aunt Jane Fellowes. This reunion marked the first time the siblings were in the same location since King Charles' coronation in May 2023. At that time, they were notably distant, sitting apart and refraining from any interaction. The funeral, however, offered no reprieve from their frayed bond.
Attendees at the funeral observed that the princes kept their distance throughout the service. One witness described their presence as "discreet," noting, "I didn't know they were there. They arrived very discreetly." Another observer added, "William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other."
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward suggested that the funeral might not have been an appropriate setting for the brothers to reconcile. "Harry is close to Robert Fellowes' widow Jane, and the thought of having to see his estranged brother would not have worried Harry as much as the other way around," Seward told the Mirror. She continued, "A funeral is not the time to settle scores, and I am certain they were civil to each other."
The service coincided with the anniversary of Princess Diana's death, which might have deepened the emotional impact of the day. Diana, who passed away in 1997, had hoped for a close bond between her sons. Seward reflected on Diana's wishes, noting, "Twenty-seven years after that fatal crash, Diana's most ardent wish for her sons to be each other's best friends remains unfulfilled."
The brothers' public interactions have been sparse since Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from royal duties, commonly referred to as "Megxit." Their last notable public appearance together was during the walkabout at Windsor following Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022. The rift was further emphasized by William's apparent reluctance to consider Harry's presence at future royal events, such as his own coronation.
A close family friend confirmed the brothers' attendance at the funeral but noted, "The situation remains complex. The family is trying to navigate their interactions carefully." The separation of the princes is indicative of the broader tensions that have plagued their relationship, particularly since Harry's autobiography, Spare, which disclosed personal disagreements and conflicts.
Lord Robert Fellowes, who passed away at the age of 82, was a significant figure in the royal family, having served as Queen Elizabeth's Private Secretary. His death prompted a reunion of sorts, albeit a strained one, reflecting the broader challenges within the royal family.
