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A joint appearance by Prince William and Prince Harry may be on the way soon. In light of their uncle Robert Fellowes’ death, the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex—who haven’t spoken in years—could both find themselves at an upcoming event in his memory. However, the expectations are quite low, according to a royal commentator. 

Harry and William going to their uncle’s funeral is ‘entirely possible’ 

First, who is Fellowes in relation to Harry and William? He was married to their mother, Princess Diana’s older sister, Lady Jane Fellowes. According to an obituary in the U.K.’s The Times, he died from “undisclosed causes” on July 29, 2024, at the age of 82. Fellowes married Diana’s sister in 1978 before working for Queen Elizabeth II as her private secretary from 1990 to 1999. 

The death of Diana’s brother-in-law may put Harry and William, who have been estranged for years, in the same place at the same time if they both attend a funeral for their uncle. However, as Jack Royston told Royal Report listeners, “there really is a strong desire to keep the two brothers fundamentally separate,” (via Newsweek). 

Not only did a recorded message from Harry at The Diana Award ceremony get played after William left, but the 42-year-old attended a close friend’s wedding despite both brothers being invited. 

“So, it’s a really difficult situation, I think, to try to work out,” Royston continued. “Presumably, you invite both William and Harry and just let them decide between themselves who comes and how it’s handled. But it is entirely possible that the two brothers will be brought back together again by this funeral.” 

Expectations for the potential William and Harry meet-up are low

Royston continued, saying expectations are decidedly low for what could happen if William and Harry end up in the same room together in the wake of their uncle’s death.

“I don’t think this time round that anybody will have any real high expectations that it will kind of create an opportunity for them to heal their rift,” he said. “I mean them meeting and seeing each other and actually talking to one another face to face at Prince Philip‘s funeral, that didn’t heal the rift,” he said. 

Harry said in Spare he’d “wanted to go home” to California after seeing William that day in April 2021. He also revealed their father pleaded with them to stop arguing when they all met afterward. 

“So, it’s difficult to see how anything will move on now,” Royston said. “But, you know, never say never. It is always possible. Never rule anything out.”

Harry’s been in touch with the Spencer family since Fellowes’ death

Lady Jane Fellowes, whose husband Robert Fellowes died, with Charles, Earl Spencer, at the Invictus Games anniversary.
Lady Jane Fellowes and Charles, Earl Spencer | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
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According to UsWeekly, Harry contacted his Spencer relatives after learning of his uncle’s death. He’s reportedly spoken not only to his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes—Diana’s older sister and wife of the deceased—but also to his cousins and uncle Charles Spencer, Diana’s younger brother. 

Harry’s aforementioned aunt and uncle attended the 10-year anniversary service for the Invictus Games in May 2024, when the duke went to London, England, to mark the milestone. 

While Harry’s reached out to relatives, he has yet to discuss the death of his uncle publicly. Furthermore, it’s unclear whether or not he intends to go to a U.K. memorial service where he may or may not brush shoulders with William.