Where Prince Harry really stayed during his surprise visit to Britain last month (and it…see more

Where Prince Harry really stayed during his surprise visit to Britain last month (and it wasn’t with the royals)
The Duke of Sussex made an unexpected appearance at his uncle’s funeral – leaving guests ‘astounded’ that he had made the journey from California

It was expected by everyone that Prince Harry would miss the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes, the late Princess Diana’s brother-in-law. In the past, he has made it clear that, due to the reduced security now afforded to him in the UK, he’s reticent to venture to British shores. So it must have come as something of a surprise to gathered mourners when, last week, the Montecito-based Harry walked through the doors of St Mary’s Church in the small, Norfolk village of Snettisham.

‘Most people were astounded that Harry came,’ one of the 300 attendees told People magazine. Last month, nearly every source close to the Prince reported that Harry would not be attending, due to ongoing security concerns in the UK. When the Sussexes moved to California, the government saw fit to withdraw their round-the-clock Metropolitan Police security when on British soil – a move that Harry has contested in court.

Details of Fellowes’ funeral have not been made public at the request of his family, but it is understood that a very small service for close friends and family was followed by a private memorial for Fellowes’ wider circle. Despite the issue of police protection, Harry made an appearance – and was said to be doing well. ‘He was on remarkably good form – and you could tell he was pleased to see everybody. And he was very pleased that he had come over,’ added the same source.

There was one side of his family, however, with whom Harry seemed to be firmly ensconced: the Spencer clan. The Prince was spotted at the funeral with his aunts and uncle – Charles Spencer, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale – with whom he reportedly has a strong bond. Their catch-up came at a particularly poignant time, given that Fellowes’ funeral took place just two days before the 27th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.

‘I think it was lovely – and right – that he came and paid his respects,’ said one royal insider, who added that they were not surprised that Harry had attended in the end. Other sources spoke of how close Harry is due to his mother’s side of the family. Indeed, the Spencers have been showing their affection for Harry very publicly this year: in May, Charles Spencer and several cousins supported the Prince at a service commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games – while no senior members of the royal family were in attendance.