Prince Harry is considering returning to the UK to attend his his uncle Robert Fellowes’ funeral — but only “if it doesn’t cause too much drama,” his pal has revealed.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, has reportedly been in contact with his aunt and his cousins, as well as his late mother Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, following his uncle’s death.
Lord Fellowes, who was married to Diana’s sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, and served for a time as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s private secretary, died of undisclosed causes on July 29. He was 82.
Since then, speculation has been rife over whether Harry will be attending the upcoming memorial service in England.
“In normal times it would be unimaginable that Harry would not be there to support Jane. Of course he would want to be there. It will be a huge gathering of the Spencer clan,” Harry’s friend told the Daily Beast.
“But these are not normal times and it may well be that everyone feels Harry’s attendance would just create too much drama. It will be very sad for him if he can’t make it.”
Should the father of two decide to attend, the move could result in a potential face-to-face encounter with his estranged brother, Prince William, and father, King Charles.
However, a royal commentator has since suggested that it’s unlikely that Fellowes’ death will be the thing that brings the feuding brothers together.
“Robert Fellowes’ death will not affect family dynamics,” Michael Cole told the Daily Mail. “Prince William and Prince Harry have always been on good terms with their late mother’s sisters and brother.”
“Aside from extending their sincere condolences to their aunt Jane, the death of their uncle will likely have minimal impact on the two royal princes.”
As for his wife, Meghan Markle, and whether she would join him — things are a little more complicated.
Last month, the duke revealed that he does not want the “Suits” alum to accompany him on any future trips to the UK because he’s concerned for her safety.
Harry emphasized that he believes threats against his wife would dangerously imperil her if she visited the UK — a fear he has expressed in the past.
“It’s still dangerous, and all it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff to act on what they have read,” Harry said on ITV’s documentary “Tabloids on Trial,” referring to what he views as incendiary tabloid reporting on his wife.
“And whether it’s a knife or acid, whatever it is, and these are things that are of genuine concern for me. It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”
The interview came months after Harry lost a legal battle with the British government over his right to taxpayer-funded police security on home soil.
