Prince William and Prince Harry attended uncle’s funeral: Did the estranged brothers speak?

Prince William and Prince Harry said farewell to their uncle at his funeral. Both brothers were in attendance, did they speak to each other?

Prince William Prince Harry uncle funeral
© Chris Jackson / Getty Images
Prince William Prince Harry uncle funeral
ROYALS THEN VS. NOW

If you have been following the latest news in the Royal Family, you will know that Prince William and Prince Harry’s uncle on their mother’s side passed away in July. As anticipated, both brothers were in attendance during his funeral.

Discover our latest podcast

The big question everyone is asking themselves is whether or not the Princes put aside their difference for their beloved uncle’s funeral. Lord Robert Fellowes died on July 29, 2024, from undisclosed causes at the age of 82. Lord Fellowes was married to Lady Jane Spencer, one of Princess Diana’s sisters.

Several people who attended Lord Fellowes’s funeral have commented on the sad occasion and on how the estranged brothers were with one another.

Prince William and Prince Harry attended their uncle’s funeral

As reported by The Telegraph, Prince William and Prince Harry attended their late uncle’s funeral which took place on Thursday 29 August at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk. The brothers were there to pay their respect to Lord Fellowes as well as support the Spencer family during this sad occasion.

There was speculation that Duke of Sussex may not attend the funeral but he ultimately decided that he shouldn’t miss the opportunity to support his family. His trip however was not publicised until after the funeral. The funeral marked the first time the estranged brothers were in the same room this year (2024).

Indeed, when Prince Harry flew to the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, he didn’t see his brother or his father. In fact, the last time the two were seen in the same room was for King Charles’ coronation back in May 2023 and that was only for the ceremony, and the Duke of Sussex flew back to California straight after.

Did Prince William and Prince Harry speak to each other?

As per The Sun, a close friend of the family explained that they didn’t know the brothers were in attendance as they ‘arrived very discreetly’. Another person said that Prince William and Prince Harry ‘kept their distance’ and no one saw them talking:

William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance.

It has also been said that they sat at the back of the church and ‘sat apart’, as reported by Daily Mail. The last time the estranged brothers were seen speaking to one another was during a walkabout following Queen Elizabeth’s death, where they, alongside their wives, Princess Kate and Meghan Markle, looked at the gifts left in honour of their grandmother.

Another question that is on everyone's mind every time Prince Harry returns to the country is, where did he stay?

Prince Harry stayed in Princess Diana's childhood home

During his recent visits to the UK, Prince Harry has usually opted to stay in hotels. Since his rift with members of the Royal Family, and the loss of his previous home, Frogmore Cottage, he has not stayed at any of the royal residences.

This time around, it was revealed that the royal stayed at the Althorp house with his uncle, Charles Spencer. People Magazine revealed the news days after the funeral.

Prince Harry's mother, Princess Diana, grew up on the estate and is even buried on a small island which is located on a grand lake present on the property.

Read more:

Prince William allegedly doesn’t want Prince Harry present at his coronation, sources claim

Will Princes William and Harry meet up in NYC? Here's why it won't happen

Prince William and Prince Harry’s relationship could worsen due to inheritance

Sources used:

The Telegraph: ‘Prince William and Harry ‘reunite at funeral’

The Sun: ‘UNITED BY GRIEF Warring Prince William and Harry REUNITE at their uncle’s funeral after Duke of Sussex makes secret dash to UK’

Express: ‘Royal Family LIVE: What really happened at Prince Harry and Prince William's UK 'reunion'

Daily Mail: ‘Inside William and Harry's frosty 'reunion': Princes 'discreetly' attended their uncle's funeral in Norfolk together after Duke of Sussex secretly dashed back from LA - as locals open up on what they saw’

Prince William once shocked a man by speaking in Swahili: How many languages can he speak? Prince William once shocked a man by speaking in Swahili: How many languages can he speak?