Prince Harry’s surprise attendance at his uncle’s funeral was supposed to remain a secret, it’s been claimed.
Harry flew from the US to attend Princess Diana’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes’ service, at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk alongside his brother William.
The circle of people who knew of his trip was deliberately kept small, The Sun reports.
Lord Fellowes, who married Diana’s sister Lady Jane Spencer in 1978 , died aged 82 on July 31.
Some have speculated the reason the service was held a month after his death is because Harry must to tell security services in the UK that he’s visiting 28 days before his arrival.
According to one source, Lord Fellowes funeral was not listed in upcoming births, marriages and deaths by St Mary’s Church, with locals only finding out hours before.
The source told the Sun: ‘Harry’s visit was never intended to be made public.’
Meanwhile, St Mary’s Church reverend Dan Tansey told the newspaper he didn’t see the two princes arrive at the church but said he was surprised to see the pair.
‘When I’m giving a service I wear glasses, so I can see my papers but can’t really make out faces beyond the first row,’ Rev Tansey said.
‘It was only as I was greeting the congregation on the way out that Prince William was shaking my hand, and then very quickly after Prince Harry did too. I don’t recollect them speaking to each other but there were a lot of family members and friends speaking to them.’
The pair were said to have kept their distance as they sat at the back of the church.
A former BBC royal correspondent has said the memorial service was ‘no reunion’ between the royal brothers.
Michael Cole, who did not attend, claimed mourners describing the atmosphere as ‘frosty,’ MailOnline reports.
It appears the Spencer family have made efforts to stay on good terms with Harry.
In May, Earl Spencer and his sister Lady Jane sat with Harry at his Invictus Games ten-year anniversary ceremony, held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Three of his cousins, meanwhile, Louis Spencer, Lara Spencer and George McCorquodale, sat behind him.
It’s said the family later chatted to the prince.
Harry’s father King Charles and William did not attend.
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