Prince Harry returns to Frogmore Cottage to continue self-isolation
After reuniting with his brother in a ‘show of unity’ at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, Prince Harry will now continue to mourn alone.
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After an emotional day where his grandfather was laid to rest, Prince Harry has reportedly returned to Frogmore Cottage where he will continue to isolate.
The Duke of Sussex is believed to have been allowed to attend Prince Philip’s funeral under compassionate grounds, but is now expected to continue his 10-day self isolation period at the historic home which he and wife Meghan Markle briefly occupied before their move to the US.
Prince Harry touched down in the UK on Sunday (local time) ahead of the funeral alone, with a pregnant Meghan staying in the US with their son Archie under medical advice she should not fly.
It was understood he would leave soon after the event. But speculation is mounting that he could stay longer and that his father, Prince Charles, hopes to take the Duke on a walk around Windsor to look at some of the tributes left for Prince Philip.
United in sorrow, neither the world nor the brothers could miss the significance of their being brought together again, to walk behind their beloved grandfather’s coffin in Windsor Castle on Saturday.
It’s all the more poignant with the fact that the last time Prince William and Prince Harry took such a public walk, behind the coffin of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, it was the very man they are now mourning who stood so tall as the literal pillar of strength they needed.
William had only agreed to walk on that terrible day in September 1997 because the duke did. “I’ll walk if you walk,” he had told his grandsons, demonstrating they were stronger together.
And now, 24 years later, it was time to say goodbye to the man who had been so pivotal both on that day and their subsequent journeys from boys to men.
It was also – clearly – not the time to be airing their grievances. And so, William and Harry walked together, apart, during the moving procession to St George’s Chapel, like a metaphor of their relationship.
Now no longer young boys, but instead fathers of their own children, the brothers walked in silence, with cousin Peter Phillips in-between. They were solemn, but held their heads up, with resolve.
Back in 1997 William and Harry’s heads had been bowed so low they looked like they were almost being crushed by the burden of grief on such young shoulders. At some points, they were almost doubled over, unable to look at anyone in the eye. This time, it was different – their grandfather had, after all, lived to just shy of a century, a long, productive and loving life.
And as they left Windsor Castle in the beautiful spring sunshine, to the sounds of canons firing and the beat of a drum, they were once again in step.
Royal commentators noted that the brothers – and all the family – knew they had a job to do at St George’s Chapel, which was to honour their grandfather and think of the Queen – “a family unified.”
And certainly, that is what they looked like. Royal reporter Camilla Tominey for the UK’s Telegraph, noted it was no accident Peter Phillips was placed to walk between them, as their cousin, who gets on very well with both of them, was acting as “a mediator” and would “try to diffuse the situation.”
And royal reporter Roya Nikkhah of The Sunday Times, said the brothers were clearly determined to “show unity” today.
St George’s Chapel had, of course, also been the setting for a very different service almost exactly three years ago – one of so much joy and hope, when Harry wed Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in May 2018. Back then he and William had walked the same route with a spring in their step, smiling and waving at the cheering crowds.
On that day the chapel was packed full of guests dazzling in their rainbow-coloured finery, compared to Saturday when there were just 30 mourners clad in black, listening to the haunting music of the four-person choir, echoing around the empty church.
Insiders hope it will, at last, be a chance to come full circle, for Harry to mend his relationship with his brother and family. “I hope for the Queen’s sake that this is - and for the Duke’s sake - a moment to bring the family back together,” royal reporter Jennie Bond told the BBC. “Funerals can do that. You suddenly realise that life is quite short and death is final. Surely this is a time for harmony.”
And certainly, the brothers looked much more harmonious than anyone could have hoped on their walk back up the hill after the service, to the State Entrance of Windsor Castle. Harry was seen chatting to William and sister-in-law Catherine and then walked for a way in-between the couple, an image of the old trio together in happier times. He then walked ahead, side-by-side with his brother, conversing all the way. At one point, Harry smiled and waved to someone he recognised en route.
Both brothers certainly must have been moved by the emotional and intimate service, which had been personally overseen by Prince Philip, every detail meticulously planned.
But the sight of William and Harry, side-by-side once again, would have been something the duke, who was legendary for his organisational skills, could never have scripted, but only hoped for.
Originally published as Prince Harry returns to Frogmore Cottage to continue self-isolation
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