Sussexes’ response to death called ‘cold’
Prince Harry is expected to return to Britain from the US for the funeral of his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, despite widespread travel restrictions.
However, it is thought unlikely that the Meghan, heavily pregnant with their second child, will join him.
A royal source told the New York Post: “He will, of course, be there, no matter how difficult relations are between the Sussexes and the family.”
Most people trying to travel to the UK must test negative for Covid within 72 hours of their flight and then quarantine for 10 days on arrival.
There is an exemption for people attending the funeral of a close relative, although Prince Harry would have to self-isolate at all other times.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s 10-word tribute thanking Prince Philip for his “service” has been labelled “unbelievably cold” amid a social media backlash.
Harry and Meghan’s Archewell website was transformed into a page paying tribute to Philip hours after his death was announced on Friday night (NZT).
“In loving memory of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Thank you for your service . . . you will be greatly missed,” the page read.
The brief message was labelled “cold” and “impersonal” by those on social media, who criticised its “lack of affection”.
“I am astonished at the lack of affection in the Harry and Meghan statement,” said one comment.
“He wasn’t a distant relative they hadn’t seen in years. Philip was his grandfather, for God’s sake.
“Where’s the love? LA is ruining him.”
Prince Philip’s death may prompt Harry and Meghan to return to the UK for the first time since March last year, when they left after stepping back from their duties as senior working members of the royal family. Philip will have a relatively private funeral at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, in line with the coronavirus pandemic and his own wishes. That is the venue where Harry and Meghan got married.
Under the British Government’s coronavirus restrictions, no more than 30 people are allowed to attend funerals. The question is, will the Duke and Duchess of Sussex be among the mourners at Windsor
Castle?
“Harry will absolutely do his utmost to get back to the UK and be with his family,” a source close to the family told the Daily Mail.
“He will want nothing more than to be there for his family, and particularly his grandmother, during this awful time. Meghan is obviously pregnant, so she will need to take advice from her doctors about whether it is safe for her to travel, but I think Harry will definitely go.”
Prince Harry was already due to return to Britain on July 1 to unveil a statue of his mother, Diana, with his brother Prince William.
A spokesman for the Sussexes declined to comment.