The inside story of Harry’s ‘greatly significant’ trip home revealed by RICHARD KAY… and why it proves where his REAL loyalties lie

So it is indeed true that blood is thicker than water.

Despite numerous reports to the contrary, we have finally learned that Prince Harry flew to Britain earlier this week to attend the memorial service for his uncle, Lord Fellowes.

While some in royal circles insisted this did not signal a thaw in relations between Harry and William, the significance of the estranged prince’s last-minute visit cannot be overstated. And as one person close to both brothers told me, “Well, it’s a start.”

Not only is it the first time this year that the brothers have been in the same room together, it’s also the best evidence yet of Harry’s desire to reconcile with the House of Windsor.

Lord Fellowes, who was married to Princess Diana’s sister Lady Jane, was remembered at a ceremony in Snettisham, Norfolk. He was one of the late Queen’s most trusted advisers and served as her private secretary between 1990 and 1999, notably advising Her Majesty during the traumatic Windsor Castle fire in 1992 and during the marital crisis between Diana and Charles.

He also played a crucial role after the death of the Princess of Wales in Paris in 1997.

Harry and William reportedly sat separately at the back of the church during the commemoration, as they did not want to distract from the sober commemoration.

But what should we actually learn from Harry’s surprise visit?

Well, for one thing, it shows that Harry – like his mother Diana – sees himself as a Spencer above all else. Diana may have had a semi-state funeral as the Princess of Wales, but she was buried as a Spencer at Althorp House, the family seat in Northamptonshire.

And although Harry is estranged from the Windsors, he has always had strong ties to his mother’s family.

Let us not forget that it was his aunt, the now widowed Lady Jane Fellowes, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that Harry was not isolated after his departure from royal life. As the palace doors slammed in Harry’s face, Lady Jane kept a channel of communication open.

Lady Jane saw the catastrophic consequences of her sister’s departure from the royal family and knew how important it was to look after Harry. By attending her husband’s memorial service, Harry could repay a small part of that kindness.

When Harry’s mother died, it was Lady Jane—along with her older sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale—who attended their nephew’s sports matches at Eton. They were the ones who made sure that Harry received the 13th birthday present that the late princess had chosen for him. In many ways, Lady Jane and Lady Sarah were surrogate mothers to the young princes.

Although it has never been officially acknowledged, I have every confidence that Lady Jane is the godmother of Harry and Meghan’s son Archie. She appears in the official christening photos and played a significant role in the couple’s wedding.

And Jane Fellowes knows better than anyone how much her younger sister wanted her two sons to always be close, no matter what. So it makes sense that she wanted to use even her husband’s funeral as an opportunity for rapprochement.

But there’s another reason why Harry wanted to be with his blood relatives this week.

Yesterday was the 27th anniversary of his mother’s death. A touching coincidence that would not have escaped anyone who attended Lord Fellowes’ commemoration the day before.

Every year since Diana’s death in 1997, Harry and William have made a pilgrimage to their mother’s grave on the anniversary of her death. They used to do this together, but in recent years they have done so separately.

The fact that they were together again this year during the week of their mother’s wedding anniversary is very symbolic.

Harry should have known this before he decided to go to the memorial. It seems crystal clear to me that he is finally ready for rapprochement.

The question is why, and why now?

There is a very real possibility that the brothers’ presence – out of the public eye – was orchestrated by Lady Jane and Lady Sarah. Both remain close to the brothers and have long wished for a reconciliation. Harry would certainly not have attended without the encouragement of his wife, Meghan. It seems that some cold, hard logic might come from sunny Montecito.

With her media empire now a fluttering dream, the former actress knows her future prospects now hinge entirely on Harry’s connection to the royal family. It’s what makes her relevant. It’s what convinces publishers, film producers and podcast studios to write giant checks in the couple’s names.

In other words, Harry had to go to the memorial to remind everyone who he really is – or was.

But ironically, the timing of Harry’s olive branch couldn’t be worse. In October, the paperback edition of his best-selling and utterly evil memoir Spare hits the shelves.

Typically, publishers want to include new details in the paperback to convince buyers of the hardcover book to repurchase the book.

It is notable, however, that Harry has chosen not to include any new stories, certainly none that could further damage the royal brand. He has also decided, as first reported by the Daily Mail, not to give any further interviews to promote the book. And yet the fuss that will undoubtedly surround the paperback’s publication is unlikely to convince William that Harry deserves a second chance.

Could Harry have broken his contract and convinced his publisher – Penguin Random House – to delay the next edition? William must have thought he would have had to move heaven and earth to do so.

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan have announced that they will be attending events during Climate Week in New York next month. The prince will no doubt have been thinking about that on his way back to California.

King Charles, meanwhile, is said to have sought advice from religious leaders on how to deal with his unruly youngest son. I understand the monarch is now open to a truce with Harry – although it remains unclear how easy that truce will be.

What is certain is that Harry’s last visit to Britain is of great significance. If the prince succeeds in improving relations with the royal family, historians will point to Lord Fellowes’ memorial as a pivotal moment.

Either way, there’s still a long way to go before Harry is truly part of the royal family again.