Prince Harry and Prince William found themselves under the same roof once again, attending a memorial service for their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, amidst a deepening rift that continues to strain their relationship.
The Duke of Sussex, now 39, made a trip back to the U.K. to honor his late uncle, as confirmed by People, The service took place at St. Mary’s Church in Norfolk, in memory of Lord Robert Fellowes, who was the brother-in-law of the late Princess Diana.
Lord Fellowes passed away on July 29 at age 82 from undisclosed causes. The Prince of Wales, 42, was also present at the service, according to The Sun.
Prince Harry and Prince William’s at Their Uncle’s Memorial Service
Initially, it was believed that Harry might not attend his uncle’s funeral due to his ongoing security concerns while in the U.K. However, both brothers ultimately chose to be there, albeit keeping their distance.
Reports from The Sun describe the scene: the brothers were both seated discreetly at the back of the church, yet not beside each other.
One family friend expressed relief at their attendance, saying, “We’re very happy to confirm both princes were there.” But it was clear that they had no intention of engaging.
An eyewitness shared that they didn’t even realize Harry and William were present until after the service when they saw them leaving separately. “They arrived very discreetly,” the source added.
Another attendee mentioned, “William and Harry were both there, but we never saw them speak to each other, and they kept their distance,” highlighting the palpable tension between them.
The strained relationship between the two princes has been a topic of much discussion. According to sources close to the royal family, Harry’s numerous attempts to reach out to his brother—through texts, calls, and other messages—have been met with silence.
A royal insider describes the rift as “very bad,” though not beyond repair.
Many believe the fallout began in 2016 when William expressed concern over the rapid progression of Harry’s relationship with Meghan Markle.
Matters worsened in 2020, following Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from their official royal roles, a move that reportedly blindsided William.
The last time the brothers were seen together in public was during King Charles’ coronation in May 2023. Even then, reports suggested that they had minimal to no interaction.