Prince Harry could be forced to self-quarantine away from his pregnant wife Meghan Markle for two weeks when he returns to the US following his grandfather’s funeral at the weekend.
The Duke of Sussex is thought to be holed up in Frogmore Cottage, Windsor Castle, while he self-isolates before attending the service for Prince Philip at St George’s Chapel on Saturday.
He flew into London Heathrow on a British Airways flight from Los Angeles on Sunday following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death just two days prior.
His arrival in Britain comes hot on the heels of his bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which he and wife Meghan accused a member of the Royal Family of commenting on the colour of their son Archie’s skin.
Meghan, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child, will not be attending the funeral. She has been advised by her doctor not to fly and is staying in the US with Archie.
But according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, international arrivals in the US should self-isolate at home for seven days, get a test and steer clear of pregnant women for 14 days if they have not received a Covid vaccine.
It is not clear if Harry has received a jab, but the CDC guidelines mean he could be separated from his family for almost a month, depending on how long he stays in the UK.
Just hours after arriving home, Harry labelled Prince Philip a ‘master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ‘til the end.’
The Duke of Edinburgh passed away on Friday at the age of 99 and his funeral will be held on Saturday following a week of national mourning.
It is believed that Harry will not be donning his Army uniform after being stripped of his military roles when he abandoned his royal duties last year.
Prince Charles is reported to be ‘looking forward’ to seeing Harry, with the service being the first time the pair will meet following the explosive Oprah interview.
Harry admitted to the American TV mogul that his relationship with the Prince of Wales was strained and claimed that his father stopped answering his calls after he stepped back from royal duties.
Despite only being in the country since Sunday, the Duke of Sussex will be permitted to leave self-isolation on ‘compassionate’ grounds, in line with the UK’s Covid-19 regulations.
Like all other travellers, Harry will have produced a negative coronavirus test result up to 72 hours before travelling and also filled out a passenger locator form letting the authorities know where he is self-isolating.
He must take a test on day two and eight of his quarantine, which must be purchased via a private government-approved company before departing from the US.
It is not clear if Harry is participating in the ‘Test to Release’ scheme, which sees travellers pay for an extra £120 test on day five of quarantine, allowing them to leave as soon as they have a negative result.
Harry released a statement praising his grandfather ahead of the service on Saturday. He said: ‘My grandfather was a man of service, honour and great humour.
‘He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm – and also because you never knew what he might say next. He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a prince and a duke.
‘But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ’til the end.
‘He has been a rock for Her Majesty the Queen with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, ‘Oh do get on with it!’ So, on that note, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself.
‘You will be sorely missed, but always remembered – by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts. Per Mare, Per Terram.’
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