PRINCE Harry may pull out of a planned return to the UK this summer – after he was “shocked” by the frosty reception he received at Prince Philip’s funeral.
Royal expert Russell Myers claimed the Duke may make an “excuse” not to return for the unveiling of a statue dedicated to his late mother.
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He is due to stand alongside brother William for a ceremony in Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden on July 1 – the date of Diana’s 60th birthday.
But Mr Myers said Harry was stunned by the “very, very cold reception” he received from the Royal Family when he flew back from LA for his grandfather’s funeral earlier this month.
It comes as:
- Harry and Meghan may be ‘cut’ from the Royal Family in Prince Charles’ plan to save cash
- The royal couple reportedly met a streaming firm at Kensington Palace a year before Megxit – but rejected the bizarre show
- A new edition of their Finding Freedom biography will lift the lid on royal rifts, it’s claimed
- Harry spent the Queen’s 95th birthday ‘dining with LA philanthropist Wallis Annenberg’ at an exclusive Hollywood club, according to reports
- The Duke of Sussex and brother William agree on a sweet tribute to their mother
Speaking to talkRADIO, the expert said: “Some quarters of the family did give him a frosty reception and perhaps that did shock him somewhat.”
And he claimed the Duke may use the birth of his second child, a daughter due within weeks, as a “convenient excuse” not to “face the family”.
Radio host Kevin O’Sullivan said he believed Prince Harry looked “very out of sorts” during his stay for the funeral.
“I’m wondering whether he received a very, very cold reception?” he asked.
“I read that some quarters of the Royal Family literally just blocked him and didn’t even talk to him.
“I think he may have been a bit shocked by the cool reception he got from his family, which begs the question, will he come back for the unveiling of the Diana memorial with his brother in July?
“Or will he pull out of that?”
Mr Myers replied: “I’m told he is still committed to coming. Both camps are.
“Certainly Kate and William will welcome him if he wants to come back.
“His intention is to come back. One may wonder, if his wife has just had a baby, I’m sure he could jump on a private jet and make a flying visit.
“But, will it be a convenient excuse so he doesn’t have to come back and face the family?”
He added: “I think a lot will determine what happens in the interim period.
“Some quarters of the family did give him a frosty reception and perhaps that did shock him somewhat.
“I don’t think we will realise the fallout of that Oprah Winfrey interview for some time.
“Maybe once we get back to a bit of normality, the rest of the family will start thinking about that a bit more carefully. It might not be good news for Harry.”
The brothers announced the commission of the statue two years ago on the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.
Millions of people around the world will hope Harry’s planned return will be another positive step towards his reunion with his family.
Seeming rifts deepened further with the airing of Harry and Meghan’s explosive two-hour interview with Oprah Winfrey on March 8.
Prince William is said to have been deeply hurt by a series of claims made during the bombshell chat, and in particular an especially damaging allegation that a senior royal had made a racist comment before Archie’s birth.
Harry also suggested the relationship between he and William had become increasingly strained.
He told Oprah: “I love William to bits. He’s my brother.
“We’ve been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But we’re on different paths.”
And he said their relationship now is one of “space”.
