Prince Harry: Expert on whether he will ‘stay’ after funeral

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The Royal Family are this week preparing for the send off of Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh sadly passed away last Friday aged 99. His funeral is this Saturday, and will be attended by a reduced guest list of 30 people.

Among these included is Harry, who landed in the UK from the US last Sunday.

Although currently quarantining at Nottingham Cottage, it will be the first time he has met his family in-person since the tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview.

The two-hour talk, described by many as the “exit interview”, appeared to be the last in a string of heated exchanges between them and the Royal Family.

Harry and Meghan officially stepped back from senior royal duties last year in what was dubbed “Megxit”.

Their announcement shook the royal establishment and its observers alike, with many quickly choosing a side.

They initially wanted to retain their titles but have private lives, serving the public while maintaining an element of seclusion. 

In a Twitter thread following the news, ITV’s Robert Peston hit-out at the Palace after highlighting a piece of Harry’s statement that read: “What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you.

“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding.

“Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am.

“But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life.”

Mr Peston focused on the “public funding” aspect of the statement, questioning why the Palace had allowed the likes of Prince Andrew to step back but retain royal titles, as well as others who earned private livings but used their royal names.

He wrote: “For the Palace to decide this seems odd if not bonkers. So what is going on? Well-placed sources have pointed out some fascinating analogies and anomalies. First Harry’s widely criticised uncle Prince Andrew has stepped back from public duties but keeps his ‘HRH’ title.

“Second Prince Michael of Kent earns money externally, as Harry and Meghan wish to do, but also keeps his HRH title.

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“Harry wanted to do the decent thing and continue to serve the Commonwealth and military, without receiving any public money, but has been told both that he cannot do such and must give up his HRH title.

“I am not sure what logic is being deployed by the Palace.

“But Harry has in effect tonight revealed that his decision to offer public service for free was ruled impossible by his grandmother and her advisers and also led to him being stripped of his HRH.”

It is true that Prince Andrew has become almost absent from carrying out public duties since the extent of his associations with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein were revealed in 2019.

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Other royals like Princess’ Eugenie and Beatrice also use their titles – although they do not receive public money – and earn their livings privately.

Meghan and Harry have opted to no longer use their HRH titles, according to British Heritage.

They have also since confirmed that they would not return as working royals, meaning that they have been stripped of their honorary military appointments and royal patronages.

When announcing this in February, a spokesman for the pair outlined their commitment to fulfilling public service.

The statement read: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.

“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

Many were outraged by the comment and saw it as undermining the Queen and the Royal Family’s attempts at affecting change.

Others have said it was taken out of context.

Meanwhile, Philip’s funeral will take place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The ceremony will begin at 3pm.

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