The Queen Is "Hopeful" That Prince Harry Will Return Home Following Prince Philip's Death, Royal Source Says

The Queen is "heartbroken" about Prince Philip's death and "hopeful" Prince Harry will make it back to the United Kingdom for the funeral.

  • Funeral arrangements are being made for Prince Philip, who died on Friday, April 9, at the age of 99.
  • The Queen, who is "heartbroken," called Prince Harry personally with the news, a royal insider told Us Weekly.
  • "The queen wants Harry to be there," the royal source said. "Harry is hopeful that he’ll be able to return home to honor his grandfather, who he had a close bond with."

The Queen is "heartbroken" over the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip.

The Duke of Edinburgh died on Friday, April 9, at the age of 99, the Palace confirmed. On Friday morning, before news of Prince Philip's passing was made public, Queen Elizabeth II personally delivered the news to her children, as well as to her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry, who were "devastated" to learn Philip had died, a royal source told Us Weekly.

In February, Philip was admitted to the hospital as a "precautionary measure" for what turned out to be a 28-day stay. In March, the Duke of Edinburgh was released from King Edward VII's Hospital "following treatment for an infection and a successful procedure for a preexisting condition." Philip's recent health issues didn't prepare the royal family for his death, however, the insider said.

"Prince Philip had been in poor health recently, but the loss was still a surprise," the source explained, adding that "funeral arrangements are already being put into place" for the late royal.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Prince Philip will be honored in a small, private service in Windsor.

"The funeral will not be a State Funeral and will not be preceded by a Lying-in-State. His Royal Highness’s body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel. This is in line with custom and with His Royal Highness’s wishes," the College of Arms said on Friday.

It remains to be seen if Prince Harry, who has been in California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and son Archie since March 2020, will be able to travel to the United Kingdom for the service.

"The queen wants Harry to be there," the royal source explained. "Harry is hopeful that he’ll be able to return home to honor his grandfather, who he had a close bond with."

RELATED STORIES
Contributing Editor at Marie Claire

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Read more
A black and white picture of Queen Elizabeth wearing diamond jewels and a white dress and Jimmy Carter wearing a tux at Buckingham Palace
An Unexpected Royal is Heading to Washington, D.C. for Jimmy Carter's Funeral
Members of the royal family including The King, Queen, Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte on the Buckingham Palace balcony smiling and waving during Trooping the Colour
Get Ready for a Busy Royal Spring After Historic Events in London Announced
King Charles wearing a red and gold military uniform waving and smiling standing next to Queen Camilla in a mint coat dress also waving and smiling
King Charles and Queen Camilla Could be Set for a "Major Royal Visit to the States" in 2026
King Charles walked Meghan Markle down the aisle at her royal wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.
Meghan Markle’s Dad Said He’s \201cIncredibly Grateful\201d to King Charles for Walking Meghan Down the Aisle at Her Wedding
Prince William wears military uniform and smiles at Queen Elizabeth on the Buckingham Palace balcony, she wears a bright pink hat
Queen Elizabeth Would "Very Much Approve" of One Change Prince William Has Made Within Royal Family
A photo of the royal family in dresses and military uniforms standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour looking up at the sky
This Historic 2025 Royal Family Photo Op "Might Feel a Bit Like Overkill," Per Royal Author
Latest in Royals
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Meghan Markle wears blue denim jeans
Meghan Markle Confirms Skinny Jeans Are Back by Finally Revealing Her Favorite Frame Denim
Carole Middleton has blonde hair and laughs while shopping with daughter Kate Middleton
How Carole Middleton Might Step Up to Support Princess Kate Following Previous Controversies
Meghan Markle wears a white shirt and blue jeans while she carries daughter Princess Lilibet and hugs son Prince Archie
New Prince Archie Photo Proves He Takes After Dad Prince Harry in Two Very Important Ways
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 16, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Meghan Markle Shared a Rare Video Filmed by Prince Harry on Instagram
Latest in News
Model with barely there makeup, glowy skin, and long coily hair.
Everything You Need to Know About Marie Claire’s Skin and Hair Awards
Two men (Ike Barinholtz and Seth Rogen) sit at a conference table with a script in front of them, as two women (Kathryn Hahn and Chase Sui Wonders) stand behind them, in 'The Studio.'
The Cast of 'The Studio': Your Guide
Bella Hadid walks into a studio wearing an oversize leather jacket with a pair of capri leggings and ballet sneakers
The Ballet Sneaker Trend Is Bella Hadid's Undisputed It-Shoe of 2025
Keke Palmer in a brown cutout dress and long copper hair
Keke Palmer Returns to the Dark Side With Deep Espresso Hair
Jonathan Davino in a blue shirt and gray blazer and Sydney Sweeney in a black and white patterned dress at the InStyle and Kate Spade dinner in October 2018
Sydney Sweeney Deletes Instagram of Fiancé Jonathan Davino, Further Fueling Breakup Rumors
Jennifer Lawrence
The Jennifer Lawrence-Approved Adidas Sneakers Everyone's Talking About Are Secretly On Sale at Nordstrom