Prince Harry’s trip to St George’s Chapel to mark the one-year anniversary of the late Queen’s death has “reinforced” the rift that exists between the Duke and the rest of the Royal Family, an expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex has travelled solo to the UK without seeing any of his close family, and was spotted leaving the chapel at lunchtime after attending the WellChild Awards last night.
His visit coincided with his brother William and sister-in-law Kate’s trip to St Davids Cathedral, Wales, some 230 miles away.
Around an hour earlier his father King Charles attended a memorial service at Balmoral’s parish church with his wife Queen Camilla.
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According to royal expert Jennie Bond, Harry’s lonely demeanour is a further setback for any lingering hopes of a royal reconciliation.
“I’m glad he went, it would have been strange if we found out he hadn’t made any effort”, she said on GB News.
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“It’s incredibly sad that he can’t be with his father or brother, and I would imagine his visit was very carefully choreographed to make sure he didn’t run into any other members of the Royal Family.
“I’m glad he’s done it, but isn’t it sad? It reinforces this rift in the family.
“It’s incredible to think he would be in the UK and he doesn’t see Charles or William, but it’s becoming the status quo.”
A number of other members of the Royal Family are understood to have visited the chapel today, including Harry’s cousins Beatrice and Eugenie.
Prince Harry and William's relations have been strained
PAThe Duke is said to remain close to the pair, but it is not yet known whether they met to pay their respects together.
Prince William, however, has never been farther apart from the estranged Duke and the pair have no plans to meet ahead of Harry’s trip to Germany.
The fallout between the pair is said to have begun before Harry’s wedding to Meghan, with the 38-year-old accusing his older brother of snobbery.
Harry then went on to allege that he was physically attacked by his brother during a row about Meghan.
The King and Queen have marked the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death
PA
He also claimed it was William and Kate who encouraged him to wear a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party in 2005, adding that they “howled” with laughter upon seeing it.
Harry’s accusations were all outlined in his tell-all memoir 'Spare' and his Netflix documentary.
The Duke of Sussex’s whirlwind UK visit saw him meet winners of the WellChild Awards - a charity he has been patron of for 15 years.
The 38-year-old paid tribute to his late grandmother, having been absent from the awards the previous year as a result of her falling ill.
“As you know, I was unable to attend the awards last year as my grandmother passed away,” he told the audience.
“As you probably know, she would have been the first person to insist that I still come to be with you all instead of going to her.
“That’s precisely why I know, exactly one year on, she is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we’re together continuing to spotlight such an incredible community.”
The King and Queen today commemorated the life of the late Queen Elizabeth with a trip to a special service at Crathie Kirk.
They were met with warm wishes from crowds who also gathered to mark the occasion.
