Family gatherings are rarely simple, but in the case of the British royals, they can carry an extraordinary weight of history.
One year ago, on this very day, Prince William and Prince Harry found themselves under the same roof for the first time in two years.
The occasion was solemn—the funeral of their uncle, Robert Fellowes—and it brought together fractured ties, complicated memories, and whispers of the past.
Why Harry’s Attendance Came as a Surprise
At first, many royal watchers believed Harry wouldn’t return to Britain for the funeral.
Having lost his legal battle over royal security after stepping back from his official duties, the Duke of Sussex was seen as reluctant to make the trip.
Yet, against expectations, he quietly flew in and even spent time at Althorp House, the Spencer family estate, where he stayed with his uncle Charles Spencer. His attendance became one of the most notable aspects of the service.
Remembering Robert Fellowes
Lord Robert Fellowes, who died at 82 in July 2024, had a remarkable role in the royal household.
He began working in 1977 and rose to become Queen Elizabeth II’s private secretary during the 1990s—one of the most turbulent decades for the monarchy.
He was there for her so-called annus horribilis of 1992, when royal marriages crumbled and Windsor Castle caught fire, and later became one of her trusted advisers after Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997.
A Man With Influence—and Critics
Fellowes was deeply tied to Diana’s family, being married to her sister Lady Jane.
Insiders say he often pushed the view that Charles could never become king unless he ended his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles.
But Charles stood firm—Camilla, he insisted, was non-negotiable.
Some described Fellowes as an obstacle, too loyal to the Queen’s perspective to embrace broader views.
Eventually, his departure allowed new advisers to smooth tensions that had divided both the monarchy and the public.
The Spencers’ Lasting Role in William and Harry’s Lives
Diana’s siblings—Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes, and Earl Spencer—remained an important presence for William and Harry even after her death.
They attended both princes’ weddings, they have been visible supporters, particularly Earl Spencer, who openly defended Harry during his public battles.
United in Tribute to Diana
In 2007, marking the tenth anniversary of Diana’s passing, William and Harry organized a grand concert on what would have been her 46th birthday.
It was a celebration filled with music and memories, with their aunts present in the crowd.
William later said they wanted the concert to reflect Diana’s energy, fun, and happiness—a gift to her memory.
That same year, the Spencers joined the princes for a formal memorial service, strengthening the family bond during an emotional milestone.
Meghan’s Reflections on Meeting Diana’s Sisters
When Harry and Meghan announced their engagement in 2017, Meghan spoke warmly about meeting his aunts.
For her, it was a way to connect with the late Princess through family.
Harry himself believed his mother would have been ecstatic about the relationship, imagining that Diana would have been “best friends” with Meghan.
The Quiet But Tense Funeral Gathering
Despite family history and shared grief, William and Harry kept their distance at Lord Fellowes’ funeral.
Witnesses recalled that the brothers sat far apart in St Mary’s Church in Norfolk, exchanged no words, and even faced away from each other while speaking to mourners.
Harry slipped out swiftly in a black Range Rover after the service.
Still, their aunts greeted both nephews warmly, offering hugs and kisses—reminders of the affection that still ties the family together.
Fellowes’ Lasting Legacy
Lord Fellowes may have been a controversial figure, but he was undeniably significant.
He knew the inner workings of the monarchy like few others, and his story was even dramatized in The Queen and The Crown.
Above all, he was a man who loved his nephews William and Harry.
Having them both present at his farewell, even amid tension, was a tribute that surely would have meant much to him.
What Comes Next for the Brothers?
The funeral highlighted just how deep the rift between William and Harry has become.
Though they shared the same space, there was no sign of reconciliation.
With Diana’s family still serving as a bridge between them, many wonder whether future moments of remembrance—or perhaps time itself—might bring them closer again.
For now, though, the divide remains painfully clear.
