Prince Harry’s surprise attendance at uncle’s funeral alongside brother William was ‘supposed to remain secret’
PRINCE Harry’s attendance at his uncle’s memorial service was supposed to remain secret, a source claimed yesterday.
The circle of people who knew of his trip was deliberately kept small.
And just two weeks ago, US magazine People — which has close links to the Sussexes — reported Harry would stay away because he felt unsafe in Britain.
Lord Robert Fellowes — brother-in-law of Princess Diana, killed in a Paris car crash 27 years ago today — died on July 31 aged 82.
Eyebrows had been raised at the one-month gap before the service at a church next to his home in Snettisham, Norfolk.
But the delay might be explained by the fact Harry has to tell security services 28 days in advance of arriving in the UK.
In yet another unusual move, the service was not listed in upcoming births, marriages and deaths by St Mary’s Church — with villagers apparently finding out just hours before.
A source said: “Harry’s visit was never intended to be made public.”
His arrival was exclusively revealed by The Sun.
It came only weeks after a vow of support from Princess Diana’s relatives.
Lord Fellowes married Diana’s sister Lady Jane Spencer in 1978.
At Di’s funeral in 1997 her brother Earl Spencer, who is divorcing from his wife, famously delivered an address saying her “blood family” would look after the welfare of her sons.
This May, despite a royal snub, Earl Spencer and Lady Jane sat with Harry at his Invictus Games ten-year anniversary ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Three of his cousins — George McCorquodale, Louis Spencer, and Lara Spencer — showed their backing by sitting in a row behind Harry.
Sources close to the Duke of Sussex said at the time that his father, King Charles, was too busy to attend.
Lord Fellowes, who was ill for several months, was also not there.
But The Sun understands that at a private reception held in the cathedral’s crypt after the Invictus event, Harry chatted to his Spencer relatives.
A source said: “The Spencers all agreed they should speak to Harry more often