Shocking detail in how Prince Harry was told of Queen’s death

A surprise revelation has uncovered when exactly Prince Harry was told of the Queen’s death, amplifying the gap between him and the rest of the family.

New claims have emerged about when exactly Prince Harry learnt his grandmother, the Queen, had died.

It has been revealed the Duke of Sussex was only made aware of the Queen’s passing five minutes before the public found out, according to The Telegraph.

The publication claimed King Charles called told his son the news shortly before he landed in Aberdeen, Scotland, which was just minutes before Buckingham Palace released the official announcement.

While finding out about the Queen’s death mere minutes before the rest of the world may seem to point to a larger discrepancy within the royal family, a royal source has aimed to shut down such suggestions.

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Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speak with wellwishers at Windsor Castle. Picture: Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The source reportedly told The Telegraph that Harry was treated no differently from any other family member and it was not possible for him to be in regular contact with everyone in the lead up to the Queen’s death.

“Everybody was trying to get where they needed to be. That was the focus,” the source said.

“And the King was adamant that the official statement must not be released until all members of the family had been informed. That was a father talking because he cares.”

Members of the royal family were reportedly informed about the Queen’s ailing health the evening before her death, though her condition was not considered dire enough to have everyone race to her bedside.

This reportedly changed the following morning, with King Charles calling both Harry and William and informing them they needed to get on flights to Scotland.

The publication claimed Harry reportedly received this call “some time” after William, making it difficult for his aides to find last-minute flights.

Prince Harry boards a flight at Aberdeen Airport. Picture: Peter Summers/Getty Images

He took off from Luton Airport in Bedfordshire at 5.35pm, which was reportedly an hour after UK Prime Minister Liz Truss had been informed of the Queen’s death.

According to The Telegraph, Harry was told of her death shortly before 6.30pm, when the statement was released.

It is unclear why the Duke of Sussex was not informed earlier.

As the royal family prepares for the Queen’s funeral, the gap between Harry and the rest of the family has been made clear.

Over the weekend it was revealed Harry had been left “heartbroken” after the Queen’s “ER” initials were removed from his military uniform – while his disgraced uncle Prince Andrew was allowed to keep his.

The Duke of Sussex joined Prince William and the Queen’s six other grandchildren to hold a vigil over the Her Majesty’s coffin on Saturday night (Sunday morning AEST).

Prince Harry was not wearing the Queen’s ER initials on his shoulder. Picture: Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty Images

He was given extraordinary permission to wear his Blues and Royals uniform, including the medals he earned during two tours of Afghanistan.

But a key detail was missing — the ER insignia that stands for Elizabeth Regina (Queen Elizabeth in Latin).

Harry was so “devastated” by the ban on wearing the ER initials on his shoulder that he considered ditching the military garb altogether for a simple morning suit, the Sunday Times reported.

The initials are only to be worn by people “in service” of the monarch.

Harry and his wife Meghan Markle also faced another blow when they learned they were “uninvited” from a state reception for world leaders and foreign royals after reading press reports.

Multiple sources told Page Six the couple were sent an invitation for the Sunday night event, but a spokesperson for King Charles III confirmed that “the invite is for working members of the royal family only.”

Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive as the coffin bearing the body of Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: Darren Fletcher – WPA Pool/Getty Images

“Harry and Meghan actually got the invitation and no-one has actually told them they are uninvited,” a royal source claimed.

Another palace insider added, “I’m told they only found out they were uninvited by reading press reports.”

A new plan being developed by King Charles could also see Harry even further ostracised from the royal family.

The King is reportedly considering changing the rules on who can stand in for him.

Under current law, if the monarch is unable to carry out their duties because they are ill or overseas, two counsellors of state are appointed to undertake their work.

They are selected from the monarch’s spouse and the next four adults in line to the throne.

This means that currently, Charles’ counsellors of state are Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice.

But Charles is said to want to change the rules so only working royals can be counsellors of state, knocking Harry, Andrew and Beatrice out of the pecking order.

It’s part of the new sovereign’s plans to ‘slim down’ the Royal Family and could see Princess Anne and Prince Edward made counsellors of state, TheDaily Telegraph reported.

Charles would need the UK’s parliament to amend the 1937 Regency Act to push the changes through.

And the law could be rewritten altogether if Charles wants Kate Middleton, who is not in the line of succession, to become one of the counsellors.