CLEARING THE HEIR:
» Brothers urged to seize the moment and settle differences » Harry due to fly back to US and pregnant Meghan shortly
SENIOR royals have urged warring princes William and Harry to “seize the opportunity” and work towards a resolution for the good of the monarchy and their families.
The Duke of Sussex returned to the fold for the first time in more than a year on Saturday, as the Royal Family united for Prince Philip’s funeral.
But his stay was short lived as he is expected to jet back to the US in the next 24 hours to be with his heavily pregnant wife Meghan and one-year-old son Archie.
The Prince of Wales, who was seen shedding a tear as he followed his father’s coffin, will not see his youngest son in person again before he goes but it is understood he will speak to him on the phone.
Sources said he had been buoyed by scenes of his two boys talking moments after the family laid the Duke of Edinburgh to rest at St George’s Chapel.
It was the first time Harry, 36, who now lives in California, had come face to face with his family a year after quitting The Firm to go it alone.
Royal sources suggested last night that Harry would see his grandmother before he returns to America, but is unsure when he will return.
He and Meghan last month took part in a two hour tell-all interview with chat show queen Oprah Winfrey, in which they accused a senior royal of questioning how “dark” their children would be while ignoring Meghan’s mental health problems. One palace insider said: “It is certainly the wish of the Queen and th e Prince of Wales that the brothers seize the opportunity of their brief reunion. Despite very obvious tension still remaining, the feeling very much is if they do not seek a resolution it could further drive a wedge between them and at heart do more damage to the monarchy.”
In the interview, seen by a global audience of 80 million, Meghan said future queen Kate made her cry at a bridesmaid’s fitting before her 2018 wedding to Harry, despite widespread reports of the opposite occurring. The Duchess of Cambridge was left “deeply hurt” by the accusations, which sources suggested she “does not recognise”. But she appeared to put her feelings aside to play peacemaker on Saturday as she literally gave her husband and his brother space to connect once more.
As the Queen departed the chapel following the service, Harry was seen sidling up to his sister in law before engaging her in conversation.
Just ahead, Prince William spoke to the
Dean of Windsor who presided over the ceremony, before turning back to grab Kate’s attention. The royals were due to be collected by a waiting fleet of Rolls-Royces, but decided to enjoy the glorious weather and walk the short journey back to Windsor Castle.
As a gap emerged between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Harry seized his moment to walk beside them, ending up in the middle as they carried on up the hill. Kate then delicately stepped away to speak to the Countess of Wessex and her daughter Lady Louise, leaving the brothers alone. Royal sources insist the conversation was “not a deliberate act”, but had happened “organically”.
The Oprah interview was said to have left William “incandescent” with rage yet he and Harry looked relaxed in each other’s company during the walk to Windsor Castle.
It is understood they later spent “some time together” as they reached the State Apartments, where the Queen had been staying with Philip, out of sight of the television cameras which had broadcast the funeral.
After arriving in Britain a week before the service, Harry reportedly experienced “a great deal of frostiness” from many relatives. He was forced to self-isolate at Frogmore Cottage, the house given to him and Meghan as a wedding present by the Queen. Princess Anne, Prince Edward and wife Sophie apparently did not acknowledge Harry before or during the service. One source told a Sunday newspaper: “There is a deep sense of protection towards the Queen and resentment towards Harry.
“Ironically the only one who has expressed any sympathy towards him is Prince Andrew. He knows from Sarah Ferguson – and now first-hand – how it feels to be the outsider, which Harry very much is. There is little sympathy for him .”
It is the wish of the Queen and Charles that they seize the chance
PALACE INSIDER ON THE RIFT BETWEEN PRINCES