THERE’S been a thaw in the frosty relationship between Princes William and Harry.
But will the Duke of Sussex stay a few more days in the UK after attending Prince Philip’s funeral? Or will he dash back to reunite with his pregnant wife, Meghan Markle, in the US?
When is Prince Harry flying home to the US?
No firm date has as yet been announced for the Duke of Sussex’s return to his sprawling US mansion in Santa Barbara, California.
Prince Charles was said to be keen to take advantage of his youngest son’s time at home for some father-son bonding.
Royal insiders told The Mail On Sunday that he intends to spend some time with the Duke of Sussex this week.
They said: “There has been talk that Charles will walk around Windsor with Harry to look at some of the tributes and spend some time together.”
Prince Harry arrived on Sunday April 11, and was thought to be staying for about “a week”, according to Cosmopolitan magazine.
He’s had an emotionally fraught time upon his sudden return to the UK – his first visit since he and Meghan quit Royal duties and moved to America.
Prince Harry attended the poignant funeral of his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, on April 17, 2021.
Thanks to subtle intervention from the Duchess of Cambridge, he and Prince William had their first chat in public, moments after their grandfather was interred in the Royal Vault.
Their conversation, shown on TV as they strolled through the grounds of Windsor, was seen as a possible first step towards reconciliation after the Sussexes’ controversial complaints about life among the royals to Oprah Winfrey.
Princes Harry and William were said to be “keen to spend time together as a family” after their grandfather’s funeral.
A royal source told The Telegraph that both wanted to show their support to the Queen.
“They will be keen to spend time together as a family in the same time zone for once,” they added.
Sources have also claimed that Harry reached out to his brother – along with his father Prince Charles and cousins Beatrice and Eugenie – to “park any disputes” ahead of the funeral.
A royal expert did predict that the Duke of Sussex would dash back to Meghan shortly after the funeral, as she’s due to give birth to their second child, a daughter, in June.
Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty magazine, claimed that Harry would head back to the US within 24 hours of the funeral, ahead of the Duchess reportedly going on maternity leave.
Seward told US Weekly: “I think for the period that Harry is here they will very much want to put their differences behind them.
“I think Harry will very much want to get back to Meghan as soon as the funeral is over.”
However, Hello magazine points out that “there is one very good reason why he may choose to remain in the UK for a few more days.
“Wednesday, 21 April, marks the Queen’s 95th birthday: both a significant milestone and her first birthday without the Duke of Edinburgh.
“If he were to pay Her Majesty a visit on the special occasion, she would no doubt appreciate it.”
Where has Prince Harry been staying in the UK?
Prince Harry is believed to have returned to Frogmore Cottage after reuniting with William at their grandfather’s funeral, it has been reported.
The Duke of Sussex is expected to continue to self-isolate after stepping out of his ten-day quarantine period for the service at St George’s Chapel.
He arrived from the US on Sunday, April 11, for the funeral and was required to quarantine for ten days after touching down.
But a provision in the law allowed him to leave quarantine on “compassionate” grounds, which includes funerals.
The duke has been self isolating in Frogmore Cottage all week but it is believed he was allowed to attend his grandfather’s funeral on compassionate grounds.
Covid rules state he must continue to self-isolate, however, at “all other times”.
Why wasn’t Meghan Markle at Prince Philip’s funeral?
Harry was on his own as Meghan is pregnant with their second child and was advised by her doctor not to make the long trip.
She also stayed in the US instead of attending Prince Philip’s funeral as she reportedly “didn’t want to be the centre of attention“.
The MailOnline reported a pal as saying that “Meghan said it’s during these times when family should come together, put their differences aside and unite as one.
“She said this is what Prince Philip would want and that she’s willing to forgive and move forward.”
However, she “did her bit” for Prince Philip’s funeral by sending a handwritten card as well as a wreath with touching hidden meanings, her pal has said.
Talking on ABC’s podcast The HeirPod, Omid Scobie – author and friend of the Sussexes – said: “A wreath was provided by both Harry and Meghan and laid for the Duke of Edinburgh that was handmade by a florist that they’d used for Archie’s christening at Windsor Castle.”
The wreath featured acanthus mollis, or Bear’s breeches, which is the national flower of Greece, representing Philip’s heritage, and Eryngium, or sea holly, in a nod to his time with the Royal Marines.
Will Prince Harry have to self-isolate in the US?
California aims to fully reopen by June 15, 2021.
In the meantime, State of California health bosses recommend delaying travel until people are fully vaccinated, because travel increases the chance of getting and spreading Covid.
All travellers arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries must have a coronavirus test one-to-three days before travelling, and get tested three-to-five days upon arrival to their destination.
They should also stay home and self-quarantine for a full seven days after travel, even if their test is negative, says the official advice.
