Prince Harry and Prince William Avoid Each Other at Uncle's Funeral in Surprise Joint Appearance: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince HarryandPrince Williamboth attended their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes' memorial service amid their ongoing rift.The Duke of Sussex, 39, traveled to the U.K. to attend the service, PEOPLE confirms. According toThe Sun, the Prince of Wales, 42, also was at the event held at St. Mary’s Church in Norfolk for the memorial service honoring the brother-in-law of the princes' late motherPrincess Diana, whodied on July 29of undisclosed causes at age 82.PEOPLE previously understood that the Duke of Sussexwas not attending his uncle’s funeralamid hissecurity issuesin the U.K.However, the brothers reportedly avoided one another.A family friend said they were “very happy to confirm both princes were there," perThe Sun. They reportedly both sat in the back but did not sit near one another.A separate source toldThe Sunthey didn’t know Harry and William were there until they saw the princes after the service, adding, “They arrived very discreetly.”“William and Harry were both there, but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance,” another attendee added, according toThe Sun.Prince William and Prince Harry in September 2022.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty ImagesCan’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!Sources previously told PEOPLE that Harry’s attempts to connect with his brother — through texts, calls, and messages — are ignored.The rift with Prince William is “very bad,” said a royal insider,but it’s not “irreparable.“Prince Harry in May 2023.GettyIt’s been widely reported that the discord between Prince Harry and Prince William began in 2016 afterWilliam expressed concerns about how quickly Harry was moving in his relationshipwithMeghan Markle. In 2020, Harry and Meghanannounced their step back from their royal roles.The last time the brothers publicly reunited was in May 2023 at their father King Charles' coronation. However, the brothers reportedlydid not interact with one anotherthere either.Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in September 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesMost recently, Prince Harry and King Charles were said to have had apositive meetingin February after King Charles’cancer diagnosis. However, communication since then has reportedly deteriorated. Harry’s close friends previously said that King Charles is no longer taking his calls.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!At the same time, Harry is said to have concerns over the safety of Meghan and their children,Prince Archie, 5, andPrincess Lilibet, 3, and according to sources, has repeatedly asked his father for help.

Prince HarryandPrince Williamboth attended their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes' memorial service amid their ongoing rift.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, traveled to the U.K. to attend the service, PEOPLE confirms. According toThe Sun, the Prince of Wales, 42, also was at the event held at St. Mary’s Church in Norfolk for the memorial service honoring the brother-in-law of the princes' late motherPrincess Diana, whodied on July 29of undisclosed causes at age 82.

PEOPLE previously understood that the Duke of Sussexwas not attending his uncle’s funeralamid hissecurity issuesin the U.K.

However, the brothers reportedly avoided one another.

A family friend said they were “very happy to confirm both princes were there,” perThe Sun. They reportedly both sat in the back but did not sit near one another.

A separate source toldThe Sunthey didn’t know Harry and William were there until they saw the princes after the service, adding, “They arrived very discreetly.”

“William and Harry were both there, but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance,” another attendee added, according toThe Sun.

Prince William and Prince Harry in September 2022.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Sources previously told PEOPLE that Harry’s attempts to connect with his brother — through texts, calls, and messages — are ignored.

The rift with Prince William is “very bad,” said a royal insider,but it’s not “irreparable.”

Prince Harry in May 2023.Getty

Getty

It’s been widely reported that the discord between Prince Harry and Prince William began in 2016 afterWilliam expressed concerns about how quickly Harry was moving in his relationshipwithMeghan Markle. In 2020, Harry and Meghanannounced their step back from their royal roles.

The last time the brothers publicly reunited was in May 2023 at their father King Charles' coronation. However, the brothers reportedlydid not interact with one anotherthere either.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in September 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Most recently, Prince Harry and King Charles were said to have had apositive meetingin February after King Charles’cancer diagnosis. However, communication since then has reportedly deteriorated. Harry’s close friends previously said that King Charles is no longer taking his calls.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

At the same time, Harry is said to have concerns over the safety of Meghan and their children,Prince Archie, 5, andPrincess Lilibet, 3, and according to sources, has repeatedly asked his father for help.

source: people.com