Prince Harry has flown into London Heathrow Airport ahead of Prince Philip‘s funeral without his heavily-pregnant wife Meghan Markle on his first visit to Britain since quitting royal duties and the couple’s bombshell Oprah interview, it was revealed today.
The Duke of Sussex was reportedly seen leaving his £11million California mansion on Saturday night in a black Cadillac Escalade to board an early-hours flight from LA, and disembarking a BA plane in chinos, a jacket and black face mask at the west London airport around 10 hours later at 1.15pm GMT yesterday.
Harry was met by security off the plane and put into a black Range Rover, before he was reportedly driven to Kensington Palace. It is thought he will be quarantining at Nottingham Cottage, because his official home under the Megxit deal, Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle, has been handed to Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
Christopher Wren-designed Nottingham Cottage is where Harry proposed to Meghan Markle in 2017, and is just a few yards from the apartment where his brother William lives with his family.
The Duke of Cambridge, who is likely to be at home, was said to be ‘very upset’ and ‘reeling’ over claims the Sussexes made in their Oprah interview, especially claims that the Royal Family is racist. Experts say their grandfather’s funeral could be the ‘ideal opportunity’ for William and Harry to heal their rift.
Harry can leave quarantine after five days rather than 10 if he provides a negative coronavirus test under the Government’s Test to Release scheme. However, he will be allowed to attend Philip’s funeral regardless, as official guidelines state those coming in from abroad can leave isolation ‘on compassionate grounds’.
Sources close to the couple said former Suits actress Meghan wanted to join Harry but was advised against travelling by her physician because she is pregnant with their second child – a daughter.
The royal family ordered a truce over the contents of the bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey to focus on honouring Philip, who died at the Berkshire residence on Friday just two months before his 100th birthday.
Harry and Meghan were criticised for accusing the royal family of racism during the CBS special, broadcast by ITV in the UK while Philip was in hospital receiving treatment for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition. Sources say the duke was brief about the content of the interview after he left hospital.
In a short tribute to Philip, the Sussexes wrote on their Archewell organisation website: In loving memory of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, 1921-2021. Thank you for your service… you will be greatly missed.’
Prince Harry was last pictured with Philip in May 2019, when they were seen posing for a photograph with baby Archie at Buckingham Palace.
Harry’s return to the UK ahead of Saturday’s funeral will be his first since March 2020 when he moved to Canada, and will be the first opportunity to reunite with Prince William.
