Prince Harry reportedly stayed with uncle Charles Spencer at Althorp during UK visit, how close are the pair?

Two days before the 27tth anniversary of his late mother Princess Diana’s death, Prince Harry flew back to the UK to attend the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes, who was married to Princess Diana’s sister, Lady Jane Fellowes. He reportedly did not speak to his brother Prince William who was also at the service.

The funeral was also attended by Princess Diana’s other sister,Lady Sarah McCorquodale. and her brother, Earl Spencer. According to People magazine, “Prince Harry made a poignant visit to Althorp House, the ancestral home of his late mother, Princess Diana, during his recent trip to the UK. The Duke of Sussex, 39, stayed with his uncle Charles Spencer at Althorp House following his surprise appearance at the memorial service for his late uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, on August 29, PEOPLE has learned.”

It was originally thought that Prince Harry would be unable to attend the funeral of his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes due to security reasons, but he made the trip back to the UK without his wife, Meghan Markle, nor his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. 

On the day of the anniversary of his sister, Princess Diana’s death, Earl Spencer shared a photograph of newspaper cuttings on her birth on X. Although he didn’t share a caption for the photograph, many Princess Diana fans commented on the post and one said: “I will never forget your sister and sadly never forget the day she passed. She passed on my 30th birthday. I was in Cuba celebrating my birthday. I have never seen so many people coming together as I saw that day. The French people in particular were so comforting to us Brits.”

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Another fan said: “Thinking of you and your family today and Diana’s sons. I remember when the news broke. It was late at night here in the US. I literally sat upright in my bed. Diana was just 5 yrs younger than me. I was a huge fan. Still am. It broke my heart. I cried so hard watching her funeral. Espec watching Wiliam and Harry walking behind her with you, Charles and Prince Philip.

“I lift you all up for comfort and peace. You will be reunited with Diana on that Great Reunion Day.”

I have previously reported on the close relationship Prince Harry enjoys with his aunt and Earl Spencer’s sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, and if the reports are accurate that he did stay at Althorp, this demonstrates the close bond he has with his uncle too. Earl Spencer along with his sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, supported Prince Harry at his recent Invictus Games event in London. Prince Harry was seen warmly embracing his uncle as he arrived.

There has also been speculation that Earl Spencer might have visited Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in California. When it was Thanksgiving last year, Earl Spencer took to X and said: "Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans - from Manhattan to Malibu (both of which I’ve visited in the past few weeks)." One person made reference to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and said: "Hope you had some time in Montecito."