Prince Harry will not be attending the funeral of his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, due to “security concerns” amidst his ongoing dispute with the Home Office. Lord Fellowes, who passed away at the age of 82, is set to be laid to rest later this month in a private service for close friends and family, followed by a larger memorial for his wider circle.
Lord Robert Fellowes, the late husband of Lady Jane Fellowes—Princess Diana’s sister—served as private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II for nine years during a 13-year tenure as the Queen’s advisor. Given his close connections to the royal family, it is expected that several high-profile royals will attend his funeral.
Despite his close relationship with his aunt, Lady Jane Fellowes, whom he warmly embraced during the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in May, Prince Harry will not be present to support her during this difficult time. His decision is reportedly influenced by ongoing security concerns, particularly related to the risk of a “knife or acid” attack, following his loss in a High Court challenge regarding his entitlement to state-funded police protection.
As a result of these concerns, Harry’s visits to the UK have been infrequent and brief, excluding his wife and children. A royal insider shared that Harry feels “frightened” and believes his father, King Charles, is the only person who could help resolve the situation, though it is understood that the King has no control over such matters.
In an interview for the ITV documentary *Tabloids on Trial*, Harry cited security concerns as a major reason for not bringing his wife back to the UK. The estranged Prince remains out of contact with his brother, Prince William, and his father, King Charles, which may have also influenced his decision not to attend the funeral.
Harry is reportedly mindful of the ongoing family rift and the potential for it to overshadow important events when he returns to the UK. This concern is said to have played a role in his decision to skip the wedding of his close friend, the Duke of Westminster, according to reports.
Despite not attending the funeral, Harry has maintained contact with his mother’s siblings—Earl Spencer, Lady Jane Fellowes, and Lady Sarah McCorquodale—following Lord Fellowes’ passing. These relatives have been vocal in their support of Harry amidst his strained relationships with other members of the royal family, particularly in his battles against the tabloid press.
Lord Fellowes, who was married to Harry’s aunt, was known to be deeply fond of his late sister, Princess Diana. In a 2008 interview with *The Telegraph*, he described her as a “very good person” who struggled to find happiness but had an extraordinary ability to communicate, particularly with those less fortunate, without ever being patronizing.
