BROTHERS REUNITED
PRINCE Harry and brother William will walk behind the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin at his funeral next Saturday.
Harry’s pregnant wife Meghan will not go for medical reasons.
🔵 Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip's death...
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Prince Charles last night released an emotional tribute to his late father, saying “my dear Papa was a very special person”.
Details of next Saturday’s funeral emerged yesterday following Prince Philip’s death on Friday morning at the age of 99.
The coffin will be carried in a specially modified Land Rover — which Philip helped design — to its final resting place inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. His son Edward and wife Sophie drove to Windsor yesterday to visit the Queen — Philip’s wife of 73 years.
Sophie Wessex was in tears later as she told wellwishers that the 94-year-old monarch, inset, “has been amazing”.
A Palace source confirmed “Harry is planning to attend the funeral”.
Sources close to Charles said he was “very happy” his sons will be reunited after months of tension.
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Harry will fly 5,000 miles from the US to be at Windsor Castle next Saturday — where he will meet senior royals for the first time since “Megxit” and his Oprah Winfrey chat.
He will walk behind Philip’s coffin alongside brother William and dad Charles — just weeks after he claimed they were trapped inside the Royal Family.
But a Palace source insisted: “I’m sure Charles will be very happy to see his son. It’s been more than a year. The Prince is very much looking forward to seeing him.”
Harry last saw the royals at the Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2020.
Yesterday Palace chiefs announced Philip’s ceremonial funeral will take place at 3pm on Saturday at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and will be televised.
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And a royal source confirmed: “Harry will be attending.”
Pregnant wife Meghan, 39, will not be flying on doctors’ advice.
Their son Archie, 23 months, and none of Philip’s great-grandchildren will be attending.
The full list of 30 guests will be revealed later this week.
Harry and Meghan’s biographer Omid Scobie said: “If there’s anything we know Harry was incredibly close to Philip. This will be a very difficult time for him as he comes to terms with the death.
“Meghan has made every effort to travel but unfortunately, she did not receive medical clearance.”
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Mr Scobie said Harry, 36, was told the news about his grandfather at the same time as the rest of the family. He added: “It was a unified approach from Palace officials.”
His trip follows the Oprah chat in which Meghan claimed one royal asked about Archie’s skin tone.
Harry’s “trapped” comments are believed to have caused deep offence among the family.
He will be exempt from the ten-day quarantine for UK arrivals — as
Government guidelines state they can leave isolation on compassionate grounds.
It is thought he will stay at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, still his UK home.
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The royal source added: “The funeral will be held in line with all appropriate Covid guidelines.”
William, 38, went months without speaking to Harry after his brother quit royal duties last January.
Last month, Harry’s pal, TV host Gayle King revealed Charles and William had “unproductive” crisis talks with Harry. But some royal experts believe William is willing to give his brother a final chance.
Royal author Penny Junor said: “My hope is that if something good can come out of the Duke’s death is that it brings the family together.
“This is a golden opportunity. But there is undoubtedly a lot of hurt.
“I’m sure the Queen will be pleased to see him as he is her grandchild first and foremost.
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“William and Harry had such a close relationship in the past and this could begin to heal the rift.
“They must miss one another. I am sure there is a real desire to go back to square one.
“They have to be grown up, and maybe eat some humble pie.”
Last night Harry was understood to still be in California. He is expected to leave his £11million mansion in Montecito and fly in on a private jet.
Royal author Phil Dampier said yesterday: “This has all come much sooner than was anticipated.
“Harry was not expected back until July when he and William are due to unveil a statue on what would have been their mother Diana’s 60th birthday.
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“I am sure the family will welcome him but they will also want to take the chance for collective and private discussions with him.
“It is also likely to result in an opportunity for them to speak to him while he is not with Meghan.”
Philip was out of bed and told aides he was improving just 36 hours before he died, it emerged yesterday. Medics had warned that he was unlikely to survive for more than a week when he left hospital following a heart op last month.
A source said: “Nothing spoke more about the Duke than the way he battled bravely against all medical expectations. It displayed his sheer force of will.”
Another source said: “He felt that dying during the pandemic was a good time to go without there being any fanfare.
“He never wanted a fuss in life and was determined that would not happen when he died.”
Four nurses were caring for him round the clock at Windsor Castle.
On Wednesday, 22 days after leaving hospital, the Duke was dressed and out of bed.
But his condition worsened and he died early on Friday. A royal insider said: “The Duke was adamant that he did want to die at a hospital, but at Windsor Castle where his mother was born.”
Spy boss planning funeral in job 2 weeks
THE former spy-master with the Herculean task of pulling off the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral has only been in the job ten days.
Andrew Parker, the ex- director-general of MI5, took up his new role as Lord Chamberlain on April 1.
Despite the mammoth job in front of him, he is widely regarded as Britain’s “safest pair of hands”.
A source said: “Andrew has vast expertise and experience but is new to the job and only started in the role on April 1.
“He is now responsible for making sure the funeral during Covid-19 goes without a hitch. He will have to be across all of the protocol and so there is a bit of a concern.
“It is quite the first two weeks in the job — but we are sure he will rise to the occasion.”
As Lord Chamberlain, the new Baron Parker of Minsmere is now expected to oversee all the conduct and general business of the Royal Household.
He is also the channel of communication between the Queen and the Lords.
Funeral plans for Prince Philip have been in place for years and codenamed Operation Forth Bridge.
But they have been overhauled and constantly adapted over the last 12 months due to Covid.
It now means just 30 mourners will attend — a far cry from the 1,000 originally expected.
Lord Parker led the security service’s response to the 2005 London terror attacks and became boss of MI5 in 2013.
His royal job is paid £90,000 to £95,000 part-time — equal to £210,000 to £215,000 full-time.
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Sources say Prince Andrew, who lives three miles from the Castle at Royal Lodge, was believed to be the first family member to be by the Queen’s side and is shouldering the burden of supporting her.
An insider said: “Andrew has always been the Queen’s favourite.
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“Although she has trusted staff and she has come to depend on Andrew. He very much considers himself her rock now.”
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Prince Charles pays tribute to 'dear papa' as he reveals Prince Philip would be astonished at outpouring of grief