Prince Harry will NOT be attending funeral of his uncle Robert Fellowes at the end of this month due to security fears after prince lost legal challenge over right to protection while visiting UK
Prince Harry will not attend the funeral of his uncle Robert Fellowes, it was claimed today 'amid security concerns in the UK'.
Lord Fellowes, who died last month, was married to his aunt, Lady Jane, and was brother-in-law to his late mother, Princess Diana. He also worked as an advisor to Queen Elizabeth for 13 years.
News of his death had sparked speculation that Harry could be forced to face his estranged brother, Prince William, for the first time following his bitter tell-all memoir in which he laid bare the depth of their rift, and even hit out at his sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales.
But People magazine, a US publication with particularly close links to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, has reported that he will not be attending amid his ongoing battle with the Home Office over the decision to withdraw his family's round-the-clock Metropolitan Police security, funded by British taxpayers, when they quit the UK.
Prince Harry will not attend the funeral of his uncle Robert Fellowes, it was claimed today 'amid security concerns in the UK'
Lord Fellowes (pictured), who died last month, was married to his aunt, Lady Jane, and was brother-in-law to his late mother, Princess Diana
Robert Fellowes and Lady Jane Fellowes pictured in Woodbridge together in April 2011
The Mail also understands that Harry will not be attending his uncle’s funeral service.
Details of the funeral have not been made public but this publication understands it will take place at the 'end of the month' in Norfolk.
There will be a 'very small' and private funeral service for close family, which will be followed by a private memorial service for 'wider' family and friends. There are also plans for a public memorial service in the future.
The Mail has not published further details of the timing or venues as the Fellowes family have requested that exact details of the services are not made public.
But it is likely that Prince William, who is also in Norfolk for the summer with his family, will attend - a task no doubt made easier by his brother's decision to opt out.
Both he and Harry remain close to their mother's family.
Lord Fellowes, who remained a senior figure in royal circles throughout his life, died on July 29 aged 82. Details of his death have not been disclosed.
Harry is continuing to wage a bitter battle in the British courts over the the decision by RAVEC, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, to discontinue with his security when he quit royal duties to live in California and pursue lucrative business opportunities in 2020.
Sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex , has reported that he will not be attending amid his ongoing battle with the Home Office
Prince Harry pictured with aunt Lady Jane Fellowes and uncle Early Spencer back in July 2021
Although he unequivocally lost his High Court challenge in February, he was granted permission to appeal in June.
Earlier this month multiple sources with links to the Sussexes also briefed People magazine in great detail about the court battle, claiming it had driven a wedge between himself and his father, King Charles.
Harry says he no longer feels it is safe to bring his family to the UK, although he has been told he can be given limited security if he notifies British authorities more than 28 days ahead of travel.
Ironically, following the couple's trip to Nigeria earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on Thursday due to begin a four-day 'quasi royal tour' to equally crime-ridden Colombia.
The couple have been invited by the country's vice president to 'engage with young people and women' in Cartagena and Cali.
Colombia is deemed, according to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to have a 'high level' of terrorist attack and kidnap for ransom, particularly affecting British Nationals.
The FCDO says terrorists are 'very likely' to try and carry out attacks with little or no warning and says kidnapping rates remain high for both ransom and political purposes.
It adds: 'Drugs, organised crime and terrorism are inextricably linked in Colombia.'
