PRINCE Harry is reportedly determined to be in the UK with his brother William for the unveiling of the Princess Diana statue, despite their royal rift.
Harry has pledged to be at Kensington Palace for the occasion, despite concerns over his wife’s pregnancy and Covid travel restrictions.
The unveiling will happen on July 1, which would have been Princess Diana’s 60th birthday, the Daily Express reported.
Harry, 36, and William, 38, reportedly agreed to put their strained relationship aside to come together and unveil the statue at their late mother’s former home.
However, Covid travel restrictions, together with lockdown, quarantine and the news that Harry’s wife Meghan is pregnant with their second child, have left courtiers questioning whether Harry would make the ceremony.
It was understood that Harry would be visiting for a shorter period than originally planned.
His former schedule had taken into account his anticipated attendance at the Invictus Games, from May 29 to June 5.
His grandfather Prince Philip’s 100th birthday on June 10 and Trooping the Colour on June 12 were also in his diary.
But on February 2 it was announced that the Invictus Games would be postponed to 2022.
Meghan’s pregnancy was also expected to affect Harry’s plans.
DIANA’S LEGACY UNITED SONS
One source said “I thought he would still come over until I saw that the Invictus Games was off. Now I’m not so sure.”
Another said they couldn’t see him coming over with a baby on the way.
But Harry was adamant he would be at the unveiling, the Daily Express reported.
It was not clear whether his son, 21-month-old Archie would come along for the journey.
Meghan was not expected to come over – the question of when or if she would next visit the UK, remained unclear.
The unveiling of the status could be one of the few royal events to take place this year.
Several others in the royal calendar may have to be cancelled or closed to the public because of continuing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
There had been fears that the tense relations between William and Harry since Harry and Meghan’s exit from official royal duties, may cast a shadow over the occasion.
But their late mother’s legacy had been the one thing to seemingly unite the brothers.
Diana’s statue was created by renowned artist Ian Rank-Broadley, whose portrait of the Queen appears on all UK coins.
The artwork was originally commissioned in 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of their mum and to recognise her positive impact on the world.
A summer visit will be the first time Harry has seen any of his family since quitting royal life to pursue a host of mega bucks deals abroad.
The prince is expected to stay at Frogmore Cottage at Windsor, the home he and Meghan decided to keep as a UK base. The couple have temporarily lent it to Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank.
