Reports in the British media that Prince Harry and Prince William were reunited at the funeral of their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes in England on Thursday are “unexpected,” but it remains “too early” to suggest the strained relationship between the brothers is thawing, a royal expert has told Newsweek.
The Sun tabloid newspaper in Britain ran an exclusive front-page story on Friday, reporting that Harry and William were both present at Fellowes’ funeral in the village of Snettisham, Norfolk, on Thursday. No photographs of the event have been made public.
Fellowes died at the age of 82 on July 29. He was married to Princess Diana’s older sister, Lady Jane Spencer, in 1978 and served as private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II between 1990 and 1999.
It was previously understood that Harry would not travel to Britain from his home in the U.S. for the service as he continues his legal battle with the U.K. government over his security arrangements in the country.
The last time that Harry and William attended the same event was over a year ago for the coronation of their father, King Charles III, at Westminster Abbey.
The brothers were not seen to publicly interact and Harry left Britain just hours after the ceremony had ended.
The royal rift between the pair has taken on increased public focus since Harry split from the monarchy in 2020 and moved to the U.S. with Meghan Markle.
The prince confirmed long-held speculation that relations had broken down between the brothers in interviews and media projects since his move. The most frank account of his life with William was given in his 2023 memoir, Spare, which contained a number of barbed criticisms directed at his brother.
In an interview given to Anderson Cooper at the time of Spare’s publication, Harry revealed that the pair were not currently on speaking terms.
Of the reports that the brothers may have both been present for their uncle’s funeral, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Newsweek that the move was “unexpected” but is to be “welcomed” if true.
“This was certainly unexpected. It was thought that Harry would not attend. However, it is far too soon to detect any change in the rift between them,” he said.
“I see this as reminiscent of their appearance together when the statue of [Princess] Diana was unveiled on what would have been her 60th birthday in 2021. That was highly publicized, whereas this has been reported in The Sun, but there are no photographs.”
“This appearance by Harry is clearly to honor the memory of his mother,” he continued. “Lord Fellowes, Queen Elizabeth’s Private Secretary, in the turbulent and often destructive years of the 1990s, was Diana’s brother-in-law.”
Fitzwilliams noted that “a funeral can bring warring parties together,” but went on to conclude: “It seems far too early to see this as a step towards reconciliation between the brothers. Even so, it is to be welcomed.”