Prince William and Prince Harry did not speak to each other as they left church separately after the memorial service for their uncle Lord Fellowes.
The vicar who led the service confirmed the warring royal brothers walked “just a few people away” as they left the 14th-century St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk.
The Reverend Dan Tansey, their vicar, admitted he was shocked to see William and Harry at the service attended by around 300 people yesterday.
He told MailOnline today: “The memorial service was yesterday. The private funeral was held earlier in the week with only (close) family.”
Describing the estranged brothers’ appearance, the Rev. Tansey said, “Yes, it was a big surprise to me.”
The vicar also said he did not recall Harry and William speaking to each other at a reception after the service, but said there were “a lot of family and friends speaking to them”.
Prince William and Harry at the unveiling of a statue of their mother Diana at Kensington Palace in July 2021. The event was attended by Lady Jane Fellowes, wife of Lord Fellowes.
The service was held at the 14th-century St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, pictured today.
Lord Fellows at the High Court in February 2008 to give evidence at the inquest into the death of Princess Diana
Asked if Harry and William were sitting near each other in church, he added: “I don’t know because I was in the vestry.
‘When I left to start the service, they had already arrived, but I didn’t even realize they were there until after the service, when I ran into people on my way out.
‘They came out, shook my hand and greeted me. I couldn’t see where they were sitting in the church.
“I greeted one person at a time as they came out. They came out a few people apart.”
Describing the service, he said: “I’m at the front of the church with my glasses on and I can see the front row, and that’s it.”
Reverend Tansey continued: ‘I had been getting ready for half an hour beforehand, so I didn’t see anyone come through the front door.
The interior of St Mary’s Church in Snettisham is shown today following yesterday’s funeral.
The Rev Dan Tansey led the service at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham yesterday.
Around 300 people attended the service at St Mary’s Church, pictured today.
‘It was a lovely service and people wanted to be there for someone who was really respected in Snettisham.
‘It was only as I was thanking the congregation on the way out that Prince William shook my hand, and then very quickly after that, so did Prince Harry.
‘It was a very pleasant surprise that they both came, although perhaps less shocking that William was there.
‘On the way out, they both thanked me for the service and I thanked them for coming. At the reception afterwards, there was a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
‘I don’t remember them talking to each other, but there were a lot of family and friends talking to them.
“It would have meant a great deal to Lord Fellowes to have had them both present at the service. He was very fond of them both.”
Queen Elizabeth II and Lord Fellowes aboard the royal yacht Britannia in Florida in May 1991
Lord Fellowes was portrayed by actor Andrew Havill (center) in the Netflix series The Crown
Lord Fellowes had three children: Alexander (left, on his wedding day to Alexandra Finlay in 2013), Laura and Eleanor (both right, at Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor in 2018)
Rev Tansey said a potentially more formal celebration of Lord Fellowes’ life was still being considered and could take place in London at a later date.
Married to the late Princess Diana’s sister Lady Jane, he was also a long-time courtier at Buckingham Palace and worked for the late Queen Elizabeth II for 22 years until 1999.
It was a period that spanned both the breakup of her sister-in-law’s marriage to the then Prince Charles and her tragic death in 1997.
Rev Tansey said of a future service: ‘I think it’s still on the cards but as I’m just the local parish vicar I wouldn’t be involved in anything in London.
“The last I heard, there was still some sort of formal memorial being considered. I don’t know if it would be in the House of Lords or something like that.
Lord Fellowes marries Lady Jane Spencer at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London in 1978. To Lady Fellowes’ right is her sister, who later became Princess Diana.
Lord Fellowes with the King, then Prince Charles, at Epsom Racecourse in Surrey in 1993
Lord Fellowes with Lady Jane Fellowes (right) and their daughter Laura Jane Fellowes (left) at the wedding of William Duckworth-Chad and Lucy Greenwell in Sudbourne, Suffolk, in 2011
“As far as I understand, it’s still a plan. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. I have your privacy to think about.”
However, describing attendance at the memorial service, he added: “The place was packed and it’s a fairly sizable church. There were about 300 people. There were a lot of family and friends. It was by invitation, from what I understand.”
The Rev. Tansey admitted that he had not been told in advance that both princes would attend the service.
He said: “Luckily I hadn’t been informed so I couldn’t say anything to people who asked me about it. I was in blissful ignorance.”
Rev Tansey added: “It was wonderful that the princes were able to be there to support their aunt and cousins.”
And a churchwarden, who asked not to be named, told MailOnline: “It was wonderful that both Princes were able to attend their uncle’s memorial service yesterday at St Mary’s Church.
The wedding of Lord Fellowes and Diana’s sister, Lady Jane Spencer, in London in 1978
Lord Fellowes (top left) with Princess Diana and her family in 1995. Seated (left to right): Diana, Lady Sarah McCorquodale (sister), Frances Shand Kydd (mother) and Jane Fellowes (sister). Standing (left to right): Lord Fellowes, Charles, Earl Spencer (brother) and Neil McCorquodale
Lord Fellowes is pictured (back right) at the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana in 1981.
“The service was a lovely family occasion to celebrate the life of such a special man. Many friends and many members of the St Mary’s Church family were also present.”
It emerged yesterday that despite his PR team previously informing members of the media that he did not plan to return to the UK for events to mark his uncle’s death, citing lingering “security” fears, Harry flew in from the US on Tuesday and arrived in the UK without fanfare.
He then traveled to Norfolk to attend the family funeral.
Harry’s spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on his attendance.
Kensington Palace declined to comment on William’s behalf, citing a private matter.
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