ARGUMENT Princes William and Harry did not speak to each other despite standing “almost back to back” among mourners at their uncle’s memorial service.
Yesterday we revealed that Harry had secretly escaped from his home in the US to pay his respects to Lord Robert Fellowes.
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Princes William and Harry did not speak to each other despite standing ‘almost back to back’ at their uncle’s funeralCredit: PA
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The brothers at the unveiling of the statue of their mother Diana in 2021. Credit: Getty
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Lord Robert Fellowes was married to Lady Jane Fellowes, sister of Princess Diana Credit: Getty
But the Duke of Sussex and his brother did not exchange a word at Thursday’s memorial service in Snettisham, Norfolk.
One mourner said: “They were only five meters apart.”
William and Harry spoke to mourners as they mingled at their uncle’s memorial service – but they did not speak to each other, onlookers said yesterday.
At one point the princes stood “almost back to back” at the vigil, but both went their separate ways without apparently exchanging a word.
To the vicar’s surprise, the brothers put aside their bitter differences to honor Lord Robert Fellowes – who was married to their mother Diana’s sister – at the service.
As The Sun revealed yesterday, Harry, 39, secretly flew in from the US after previously saying he could not attend due to security concerns.
Today we can reveal that the brothers, who have not spoken for two years, arrived minutes apart on Thursday at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk.
They sat on opposite sides of the church, with fellow mourners and an aisle between them.
One participant said that the seating arrangement may have been planned to keep them apart.
They told The Sun: “They were sitting two or three rows in the front, not the back, but they were on opposite sides of the aisle.
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“And then there were family members in the other seats between them, so maybe it was something that was agreed upon.
“They came in just before it started, after almost everyone else. Most people didn’t notice them.”
After the service, they both attended a vigil in a canopy set up in the garden of the widow Lady Jane Fellowes’ house next to the church.
There they mingled with family and friends, including Diana’s younger brother Earl Spencer, 60, with cakes, tea and coffee on offer.
At one point, the feuding siblings were back-to-back and only a few feet apart — but no one saw them talking.
Our source, who lives in the town but did not want to be named, continued: “They weren’t together – they were separated.
“There were a lot of people and it was well attended, but you could walk around, socialize and drink tea. We wanted to talk to them, but they had a lot of family members who hadn’t seen them in a long time, especially Harry.
Many people took the opportunity to talk to them. They were only five meters from each other, almost back to back
The source of the sun
“Many people took the opportunity to talk to them. They were only five meters away from each other, almost back to back.
“When we left the reception they were both still there but as we were walking we saw Harry drive off in a black Range Rover.”
The memorial was held 31 days after the death of Lord Fellowes, 82, who also served as the late Queen’s private secretary.
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The brothers sat on opposite sides of St Mary’s Church, Snettisham, NorfolkCredit: Paul Edwards
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William did not speak to his brother Harry, who flew in for the funeralCredit: Getty
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Harry spoke to mourners at his uncle’s funeralCredit: PA
The date of the service was a closely guarded secret, with some claiming it had only been confirmed 24 hours before.
The Reverend Dan Tansey, who presided over the proceedings, told yesterday how he was surprised to see both Harry and William there.
He said: “It was a lovely service and there were a lot of people who wanted to be there for someone who is really well-respected in the village.
“It wasn’t until I was greeting the community on the way out that Prince William shook my hand, and very soon after that, Prince Harry.
“It was a surprise, but a really, really pleasant surprise that they both came.
“They both thanked me for the service, and I thanked them for coming. We have already seen Prince William in the village.”
It was a surprise, but a really, really pleasant surprise that they both came
Reverend Dan Tansey
Snettisham is close to Sandringham and William, now 42, and Harry were seen drinking at the local Rose and Crown pub.
Reverend Tansey said the reception afterwards was “very relaxed and warm”.
But he added of the brothers: “I don’t remember them talking to each other, but there were a lot of family members and friends talking to them.
“It would mean a lot to Lord Robert if they were both in service as I know he and his aunt are both very fond of them.”
The brothers have been at loggerheads since Harry and wife Meghan quit their royal duties in 2020 and left for a new life in the US, where they have sparked a series of clashes with the royal family.
Local sales director Martin Ash joked yesterday that the warring siblings should take inspiration from Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis — and patch things up.
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Diana’s brother Earl Spencer attended the funeralCredit: Getty
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Reverend Dan Tansey, who presided over the proceedings, said yesterday he was surprised to see both Harry and William. Credits: https://www.snettishamchurch.com/
The 55-year-old, from Old Hunstanton, Norfolk, told The Sun: “It’s a step in the right direction for them to be in the same room together, even if they’re still not on speaking terms.
“Both are married with children. It would be good for the extended family to patch up, I’m sure.
“We let the Gallagher brothers settle their differences and Noel and Liam are back as a united front. Harry and William should be inspired. If Noel and Liam can do it, so can anyone.”
Another Rose and Crown local added: “It would be fun to see them banging their heads with guitars before patching things up – but really any family gathering is good.”
A family friend of the Fellowes, who asked to remain anonymous, said they saw both princes blending in with the community. They added: “There were a lot of people — and some I’d never met before. We all entered. We were all chatting.”
This is not the first time that the brothers have been separated.
Cousin Peter Phillips had to walk between them at Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021.
Then they barely spoke a few months later when they unveiled a statue of their mother at Kensington Palace.
Carefully choreographed
The late Queen’s platinum jubilee service at St Paul’s Cathedral in June 2022 was carefully choreographed so that they would not meet.
The brothers gathered briefly to view flowers left by mourners at Windsor Castle after the Queen died in September 2022.
But it was a display of “unity” rather than any thaw in their long-standing dispute.
Being in the same room together is a step in the right direction, even if they still aren’t talking
Harry and Meghan were then relegated to the second row and across from Wills and wife Kate at the funeral at Westminster Abbey.
Harry found himself even further away from his brother when he sat in the third row at the King’s coronation last year, when Meghan decided to stay in California for son Archie’s birthday.
Lord Fellowes was educated at Eton and worked in banking before joining the Royal Household.
He married Lady Jane Spencer in 1978, and Diana was one of the bridesmaids.
He was Queen Elizabeth’s private secretary from 1990 to 1999 and was one of her most trusted advisers during a tumultuous period, including Diana’s death.
Lord Fellowes was played by actor Andrew Havill in the Netflix drama The Crown.
William’s spokesman had no comment. Archewell had no comment.
Archewell had no comment.
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Lord Robert Fellowes was married to Princess Diana’s sister Credit: Getty
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