HARRY and William could “have a damn good row and make up”, a royal expert believes.
Royal biographer Andrew Morton compared the feuding brothers to “Cain and Abel” as the two princes paid tribute to their grandfather, who died aged 99 on Friday.
Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip’s death…
Mr Morton told Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4 all eyes will be on Harry and William during Philip’s funeral at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on Saturday.
Harry, 36, is set to see his family face-to-face for the first time since moving to the US with Meghan Markle and Archie in March last year.
He has now returned to the UK alone for the ceremony after pregnant Meghan, 39, was advised not to travel.
The Royal Family has ordered a truce over the couple’s explosive Oprah Winfrey interview to focus on honouring the Duke Of Edinburgh.
It comes as:
- Prince Harry remembered his Prince Philip as a “legend of banter” after returning to the UK for his grandfather’s funeral
- Harry signed off his tribute with a Royal Marines motto
- Meghan, Archie and his unborn daughter would ‘always hold a special place’ for Phil, Harry said
- Prince William hailed the “extraordinary” duke and shared a sweet photo of son George in an emotional tribute to Philip
- Kate and Wills vowed to ‘get on with the job’ like the Duke of Edinburgh would have wanted
- Boris Johnson paid tribute to Prince Philip’s ‘unfailing dedication’
- The Queen’s support network after her husband’s death was revealed
- The Duke of Sussex is staying at Frogmore Cottage after flying in from the US overnight
Mr Morton, who penned a number one bestseller about the brothers’ mother Princess Diana in 1995, told Channel 4: “Everybody watching the funeral will want to see some sort of reconciliation between William and Harry, and Harry and his father.
“The one thing you hope is that it doesn’t overshadow tributes to Prince Philip.”
He said the rift between the brothers “isn’t the first time there’s been a Cain and Abel relationship inside the royal family”.
Mr Morton, who has been acting as an advisor on hit Netflix show the Crown, compared Harry and William’s relationship to the bond between the Queen and Princess Margaret, who were “the salt and pepper of the royals in their day”.
He added: “The Queen is a very similar character to William, cautious, even-handed and calm.
“Margaret and Harry are a couple who kick over the traitors. Margaret used to say, ‘disobedience is my job’.
“You’d hope that William and Harry would have a damn good row, then make up as the Queen and Margaret did throughout their relationship.”
In a touching personal tribute, Harry today hailed his grandfather as the “master of the barbecue and legend of banter”.
And he thanked Philip for being a “rock” to his grandmother the Queen – just minutes after his brother William also paid tribute.
Paying tribute to Prince Philip, Mr Morton told Channel 4’s Steph McGovern that Philips’ legacy was “to bring the monarchy into the 21st century”.
And he hailed Philip as “progressive… and a moderniser in a pretty crusty institution.”
Mr Morton added: “He’s the one who, against the wishes of Winston Churchill and his wife, the Queen, got the coronation televised.
“He’s the one behind the royal family film of 1969. He was the head of the family, the head of the firm. His rule was law.”
The Queen will be among 30 guests at Philip’s funeral, which will take place at St George’s Chapel inside Windsor Castle from 3pm.
Philip will have a ceremonial funeral rather than a state funeral, in line with his wishes.
The royal coffin will be transported from the castle to the chapel for the funeral in a specially-modified Land Rover he helped to design.
It will be followed by the Prince of Wales and senior royals on foot, a senior Palace official said.
The funeral will take place entirely in the grounds of Windsor Castle and there will be no public procession.
