Prince Harry's UK Return For Princess Diana's Statue Unveiling In 'Serious Doubt,' Royal Expert Claims

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might not join Prince William and Kate Middleton during the unveiling of Princess Diana's statue, a report has claimed.

The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex had a friendly reunion during Prince Philip's funeral. They are expected to reunite again at the unveiling of Princess Diana's statue to commemorate what would have been her 60th birthday. However, it might not happen due to their alleged rift. If Prince Harry returns to the U.K., his wife might not join him, according to royal expert Phil Dampier, author of "Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words."

"I personally don't think Meghan will return to the UK," Dampier told The Sun Online. "And there must now be a serious doubt as to whether Harry will come over for the unveiling of a statue for Princess Diana on what would have been her 60th birthday in July."

In August 2020, Prince Harry and Prince William released a joint statement amid their rumored rift. They announced their plans for their mother's statue to commemorate the late Princess of Wales' 60th birthday.

"The statue will be installed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on 1st July 2021, marking The Princess’s 60th birthday," their announcement read. "The Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy."

However, according to the outlet, no set plans for Prince Harry's visit have been officially confirmed yet. Dampier also noted that Prince Harry's friendly reunion with his brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, was only an "opening move" as much work is needed for them to completely reconcile.

"The relationship between the so-called former 'Fab Four'- Harry, Meghan, William and Kate - is now so broken and delicate that everyone is looking for the slightest signs it is getting better…or worse. The discussions after Prince Philip’s funeral were a start, but were clearly very strained and only an opening move," he continued.

"Harry and Meghan now have all they want to make them happy if they are going to be. A son, a daughter on the way, their freedom from the royal family and the means to make money and get involved in cases which interest them. To carry on a war with Harry’s blood family is unnecessary and counter-productive, and the sooner they realise that the better."

Dampier added that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should stop playing the victim and using their royal connections to leak stories while pleading for privacy because the public can see through them. He also said that the people who advise the royal couple to carry on with that strategy is "giving them bad advice."

Meanwhile, an insider told Us Weekly that Prince Harry and Prince William were making progress on their relationship. However, the Duke of Sussex's relationship with his father, Prince Charles, has allegedly remained rocky.