Daily Mail readers have expressed their disgust at the possibility of the Duke of Sussex returning to the UK for his grandad’s funeral.
Harry is living in the US with the Duchess of Sussex and has not returned to the UK since stepping down as a senior royal just over a year ago.
Funeral arrangements for Philip, who died on Friday morning at the age of 99, have yet to be confirmed, but it is likely Harry will be among the small number of mourners, the PA news agency understands.
Lockdown rules
It is not known at this stage whether the Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant with her second child – a daughter, will accompany him.
During England’s national lockdown, funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people.
It would be the first time Harry has joined the royal family since Megxit and also since his and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in which they accused the royal family of racism and the institution failing to support a suicidal Meghan.
The two-hour interview was aired while Philip was in hospital after surgery on his heart.
The Queen issued a statement saying “while some recollections may vary”, the issues would be taken “very seriously”, but dealt with privately as a family.
“We’re very much not a racist family”
The Duke of Cambridge, in a rare move on a royal engagement, spoke out publicly saying “We’re very much not a racist family”, as the royals’ ability to carry out official duties linked to diversity, inclusion and mental health was called into question.
Harry told Oprah Winfrey that he felt let down by his father the Prince of Wales and that “there’s a lot of hurt that’s happened” between them, and that his relationship with his brother William was “space” but he loved him to bits.
Under current rules, mourners coming from outside England are required to self-isolate from arrival and for the first full 10 days after they arrive.
But Harry would be entitled to leave his place of self-isolation on compassionate grounds to attend the funeral.
He could also be released from quarantine if he gets a negative private test on day five under the Test to Release scheme.
Reaction
But reaction on the pages of the Daily Mail to the possibility of Harry’s return has been fierce.
London-based Deana, pointing the finger at his wife, said: “After what she just did to the Royal Family and how she tortured the poor man in the last months of his life? If she dares step foot in England, she should be run out with lit torches! That wicked actress shouldn’t be allowed near anything truly royal. Shame on her and Harry.”
While Mikie added: “She’ll probably manage to go into labour on the day of the funeral” to “be at the centre of attention”.
Mathilda surmised that their decision might be to do with money, saying: “There is nothing financially to gain for them, so, I doubt that they will be back.”
And Joshua continued: “The best thing that pair can do is to just, give it a rest. Let Prince Philip rest in peace, without making it all about how horrible, terrible, or awful their fairytale lives in tinseltown are.”
Related: Farage uses Prince Philips death to take a swipe at Harry and Meghan
