KATE Middleton could step in at the unveiling of Princess Diana’s statue if Prince Harry is unable to make it, a royal expert says.
The Duke of Sussex, 36, had been hoping to fly back to the UK for the poignant event on July 1 – on what would have been his mum’s 60th birthday.
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But with Meghan Markle’s due date looming, Harry may be forced to miss the unveiling at Kensington Palace.
Kate could now fill in to support her husband Prince William at the event.
Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers told the Pod Save The Queen podcast: “Meghan is about to give birth, one would presume – they said early summer – so whether he will, whether he won’t.
“Maybe Kate will step in to not have William do it on his own.”
It had been hoped Harry’s return to the UK could could help repair the “deteriorating” relationship with his brother Prince William.
But his return has been in “serious doubt” for weeks after the royal rift intensified, royal experts have claimed.
Harry’s recent attacks on his family in interviews may make the reunion “very uncomfortable”.
It was previously claimed that Harry would return to the UK to unveil the Princess Diana statue after chats with his brother at Prince Philip’s funeral “broke the ice.”
The brothers have had frosty relations since Harry sensationally moved to the US and stepped back from royal life in 2020.
And their relationship was strained further after Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah earlier this year.
But after a solemn reunion at Prince Philip’s funeral, the door was opened for further reconciliation, it was said.