Prince Harry's Tribute to His Late Uncle Left Memorial Service Guests "Astounded"

"He is very close to his mother's side of the family."

Prince Harry
(Image credit: Handout/Sport Gives Back Awards via Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Prince William made a surprise joint appearance at the funeral of their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, on August 29, the BBC previously reported. And according to a new report, guests were delighted that the Duke of Sussex was able to attend, despite living in California, to pay tribute to his late relative.

The memorial service for Lord Fellowes took place at St. Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, close to the Royal Family's Sandringham Estate, as reported by the BBC. According to People, one funeral attendee explained, "Most people were astounded that Harry came." They continued, "He was on remarkably good form—and you could tell he was very pleased to see everybody. And he was very pleased that he had come over."

During his return to the U.K., Prince Harry stayed at Althorp House, Princess Diana's ancestral home, showing just how important family ties remain to him. The Duke of Sussex was also able to reunite with Princess Diana's siblings—Lady Jane Fellowes, Charles Spencer, and Lady Sarah McCorquodale.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral in September 2022.

"Most people were astounded that Harry came."

(Image credit: Ian Vogler - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Discussing Prince Harry's decision to travel back to the U.K. for his uncle's funeral, one source told People, "I think it was lovely—and right—that he came and paid his respects." Another source said of Harry's attendance, "Given everything that has gone on with the family's health, I suspect he wants to spend time with people. He is very close to his mother's side of the family."

Reverend Dan Tansey, who was at the funeral, previously told The Sun, "It wasn’t a tremendous shock William was there, as that was always a possibility, but I suppose it was more of a surprise that Harry had come."

Meanwhile, a recent article about Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, discussed the couple's new life in California. According to The Daily Beast, Harry has plenty of friends in the U.S., and won't be returning to life as a senior life anytime soon. Instead, it appears that the Duke of Sussex is content with his family life in America.

Amy Mackelden
Contributing Editor

Amy Mackelden is a contributing editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.