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Privacy Notice Prince Harry stayed at his mother’s childhood home when he secretly returned to the UK to attend a family funeral last week, an insider has revealed. Harry covertly flew from the US to join family members at a memorial service for his late uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk last Thursday. Other mourners included his estranged older brother, Prince William, with whom it is believed Harry did not speak. Lord Fellowes, who was married to their aunt and Princess Diana’s older sister Lady Jane Fellowes, passed away in July aged 82. This marked the first time the brothers attended the same event since their father King Charles’ Coronation last May. However, despite both attending the service, there were indications of them maintaining some distance.
Prince Harry reportedly stayed with his uncle, Earl Spencer
(Image: No credit)
Harry’s low-key visit to his homeland occurred just days before the 27th anniversary of the death of his and William’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. It has now been revealed that during his stay, Harry resided at his late mother’s ancestral home, which is also her final resting place. As per PEOPLE magazine, Harry stayed at his uncle Earl Spencer’s residence, Althorp House the ancestral home of Princess Diana, where she rests on an island within Round Oval Lake. In his memoir Spare, Harry detailed the emotional moments that he has visited Diana’s gravesite, including a poignant visit with Meghan Markle for Diana’s 25th death anniversary. He shares: “At long last, I was bringing the girl of my dreams home to meet mum. “We hesitated, hugging, and then I went first. I placed flowers on the grave. Meg gave me a moment, and I spoke to my mother in my head, told her I missed her, asked her for guidance and clarity. Feeling that Meg might also want a moment, I went around the hedge, scanned the pond. When I came back, Meg was kneeling, eyes shut, palms against the stone. I asked as we walked back to the boat, what she’d prayed for. Clarity, she said. And guidance.”
A memorial to Princess Diana at her ancestral home, Althorp
(Image: Ilpo Musto/REX/Shutterstock)
Yet, despite both Princes William and Harry attending the remembrance service, there were insinuations that their estrangement remains unresolved. Observers noted their physical separation throughout the event. A source told The Sun that the brothers made a very subtle entrance: “I didn’t know they were there. They arrived very discreetly.” Another person remarked upon the absence of interaction between them, pointing out: “William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance.”
The brothers both attended the service
(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Reverend Dan Tansey, who led the service shared what the brothers said to him post-service. Speaking to The Sun, he revealed: “It was only as I was greeting the congregation on the way out that Prince William was shaking my hand, and then very quickly after Prince Harry did too. It was a surprise but a really really pleasant surprise that they had both come. He added: ” He added: “On the way out, they both said thank you for the service and I thanked them for coming.” After the service, which was more of a memorial than a funeral, a reception took place. The vicar described it as relaxed and friendly. However, he noted: “I don’t recollect them speaking to each other but there were a lot of family members and friends speaking to them.” The reverend also mentioned that it would have meant a great deal to Lord Fellowes and his widow Jane, Princess Diana’s older sister, that both brothers attended the service.
Lord Robert Fellowes passed away on 29 July
(Image: (Image: Getty))
William and Harry’s uncle, Lord Fellowes, had been happily married to their late mother Diana’s sister, Jane, for more than 45 years. They shared three children together Laura, Alexander, and Eleanor who are all William and Harry’s cousins, with Laura notably being Princess Charlotte’s godmother. Having served as the private secretary to Queen Elizabeth during the turbulent ’90s, which included the disintegration of Charles and Diana’s marriage, Lord Fellowes also witnessed other Royal crises, such as Fergie and Prince Andrew’s separation and the Windsor Castle fire that ravaged 115 rooms. His tenure didn’t come to an end before the tragic passing of his sister-in-law, Diana, in a Paris car crash. Despite their strained relationship due to his courtier role, he expressed heartfelt grief at her untimely death: “I was deeply fond of her. She was a very good person. She found it difficult in life to find happiness, and I’m sad for people who have that situation.”Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnMeghan MarklePrince HarryPrince WilliamPrincess DianaRoyal Family
