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Prince Harry has arrived back in the UK for Prince Philip’s funeral

Photo credit: Phil Walter
Photo credit: Phil Walter

UPDATED: MONDAY 12TH APRIL


Prince Harry has arrived back in the UK for the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Philip.

According to People, the Duke of Sussex travelled from California to Windsor two days after his grandfather's death was announced and was met by security off the plane, before being driven away in a black Range Rover.

Despite his royal status reportedly excluding him from England's current quarantine rules, sources say he will be 'following COVID-19 protocols for travel' — by isolating for around five days before taking a test privately.

The funeral will take place on Saturday, April 17, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Meghan, who is heavily pregnant with the couple’s second child, a daughter, was unable to accompany the prince. A source close to the couple told BAZAAR.COM, 'The Duchess has made every effort to travel alongside The Duke, but unfortunately, she did not receive medical clearance from her physician'.

Saturday’s funeral, which is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. local time and coincide with a national minute of silence, will see 30 people in attendance (in accordance with the British government’s pandemic guidelines). Guests include family members, children, grandchildren, and long-serving staff members such as Prince Philip’s faithful valet, page, and private secretary.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin will remain in the Queen’s private chapel at Windsor Castle all week before being transferred in a modified Land Rover that the Duke had helped design. For the funeral, family members, including Prince Harry, will follow the coffin to St George’s Chapel for a military-influenced royal ceremonial service.

A Buckingham Palace representative adds that a number of arrangements have been modified due to COVID-19 restrictions and requests that members of the public do not gather at royal residences. 'People turning up at Windsor Castle on Saturday will not be able to see anything,' says a spokesman.

Both Harry and Meghan paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh over the weekend, with a message on the website of their charitable foundation Archewell. 'Thank you for your service,' the touching note read. 'You will be missed.'

Harry has often spoken fondly about his close relationship with Prince Philip. During a recent chat with James Corden, he revealed that he regularly has Zoom calls with both grandparents.

'They’ve seen Archie running around,' he said. 'My grandfather, instead of, like, pressing "leave meeting", he just goes doof,' Harry laughed, mimicking someone slamming down the lid of a laptop. 'I’m like, OK, bye!'

The visit is Prince Harry’s first time in the U.K. since stepping back from his royal role in March 2020.

It is also the first time he's seen family members, including Prince Charles and Prince William, since the Sussexes sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a bombshell-filled primetime interview.

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