HARRY: ‘THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE’
Sussexes’ online message as prince set to fly home for funeral... but what about Meghan?
THE Duke of Sussex last night issued a poignant tribute to Prince Philip’s service to his country.
A simple 23-word message posted on his website began ‘In loving memory’ and concluded: ‘Thank you for your service... you will be greatly missed.’
It is understood Harry – who was close to his grandfather – will attend his funeral, in spite of the family rift caused by his and Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey and Covid travel restrictions.
His tribute, posted on the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation website, chimes with his previous declarations about the importance of public service.
When Harry was stripped of his royal patronages in February, after quitting frontline duties, he issued a statement saying: ‘We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.’
Yesterday Harry’s website cleared all its content and replaced it with the brief statement in tribute to his grandfather. It read: ‘In loving memory of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, 1921-2021. Thank you for your service ... you will be greatly missed.’
There was no word from Buckingham Palace yesterday on whether Harry and Meghan plan to fly over for the funeral. But Harry will be determined to pay tribute.
While the Sussexes no longer have a press office in the UK, American media outlets reported that the duke was preparing to fly to London.
The New York Post quoted a source as saying: ‘Harry was extremely close to his grandfather. He will, of course, be there, no matter how difficult relations are between the
‘Of course, he will be there’
Sussexes and the family.’ They added that heavily pregnant Meghan ‘wants to be by his side’ but would have to consider any advice from her doctor and airline rules about expectant mothers.
While the funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed, it is likely that Harry will be among the small number of mourners, according to PA, the UK’s national news agency.
It will be the first time he has met his family since the incendiary interview he and his wife gave Miss Winfrey, just over a month ago, in which they alleged racism in the royal household, which aired while Philip was seriously unwell in hospital.
It emerged later there had been a plan to delay its broadcast if the Duke of Edinburgh had died.
In the interview, the couple accused an unnamed royal of raising ‘concerns’ about how dark their son Archie’s skin tone would be. Off-camera, Harry stressed to Miss Winfrey that it was not the Queen or Prince Philip.
Meghan, who said she had been suicidal and had begged for help from Buckingham Palace but got no support, also told Miss Winfrey she had phoned the Queen after learning Philip had been taken to hospital in February. She said: ‘I just picked up the phone and I called the Queen just to check in.’
Harry also told talk show host James Corden how they kept in touch with the Queen and Philip via Zoom, laughing as he said that Philip, instead of clicking to leave the call, would slam his laptop shut.
Harry had been due back in the UK on July 1 for the unveiling of a statue of his mother. It was not clear if he had planned to return in June for Philip’s 100th birthday.
The United States is not on the UK’s ‘red list’ of countries subject to a Covid travel ban, meaning Harry can fly directly to England.
Under the rules, he should take a Covid test up to three days before his departure from the US, and can travel if it is negative. He should also give details of where he plans to self-isolate for ten days. A twotest package should also be booked before travel, to be taken on days two and eight after arrival.
However, he has the option for early release from self-isolation after five days under the Test To Release scheme if he arranges an extra test with a private provider and it comes back negative.
The rules could exempt him from all of this anyway. Although funerals are not specifically cited, he could be allowed out under the ‘exceptional circumstances’ clause.
There are also certain jobs that exempt someone from self-isolation – including ‘Crown servants’ providing assistance or help with missions relating to the Queen.