EXCLUSIVE: Prince William was reunited with his brother at the funeral of their grandfather Prince Philip - but Prince Harry is set to return to the US in the next 24 hours
Senior Royals have urged warring princes William and Harry to “seize the opportunity” of a resolution for the good of the monarchy and their families.
The Duke of Sussex returned back to the fold for the first time in more than a year on Saturday, as the royal family united for Prince Philip ’s funeral.
But his stay was short lived as he is expected to jet back to the US in the next 24 hours to be reunited with his heavily pregnant wife Meghan and their son Archie, one.
The Prince of Wales, seen shedding a tear as he followed his father’s coffin, will not see his youngest son in person again before he goes but will speak to him on the phone, it is understood.
Sources said he had been buoyed by scenes of his two boys talking moments after the family laid the Duke of Edinburgh to rest at St George’s Chapel.
It was the first time Harry, 36, who now lives in California, came face to face with his family a year after quitting The Firm to go it alone.
Royal sources suggested last night Harry would see his grandmother before he returns to America, unsure of when he will return.
Together with Meghan the couple last month took part in an extraordinary two hour tell-all interview with chat show queen Oprah Winfrey, where they accused a senior royal of questioning how “dark” their children would be while also ignoring Meghan’s mental health problems.
The family hope the brothers can reunite
One palace insider said: “It is certainly the wish of the Queen and the Prince of Wales that the brothers seize the opportunity of their brief reunion.
“Despite some very obvious tension still remaining, the feeling very much is if they do not seek a resolution it could further drive a wedge between them and at heart do more damage to the monarchy.”
It's not known when Harry will return to the UK
In the bombshell chat, seen by a global audience of 80million, former actress Meghan claimed future queen Kate made her cry at a bridesmaid's fitting before her May 2018 wedding to Harry - despite widespread reports of the opposite occurring.
The Duchess of Cambridge was left “deeply hurt” by the accusations, which sources suggested she “does not recognise”.
Harry was also seen speaking to his sister in law Kate Middleton
But she appeared to put her feelings aside to play peacemaker on Saturday as she quite literally gave her husband and his brother space to connect once more.
As the Queen departed the Chapel following the service, Harry was seen saddling up to his sister in law before engaging her in conversation.
The family is reeling from the Oprah interview
Just ahead, Prince William spoke to the Dean of Windsor who preceded over the ceremony, before turning back to grab Kate’s attention.
The royals were due to be collected by a waiting fleet of Rolls-Royces, but decided to enjoy the glorious weather and walk the short journey back to Windsor Castle.
The conversations happened 'organically'
As a gap emerged between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Harry seized his moment to walk beside them, ending up in the middle as they carried on up the hill.
Kate then delicately stepped away to speak to the Countess of Wessex and her daughter Lady Louise, leaving the brothers alone.
Royal sources insist the conversation was “not a deliberate act”, but had rather happened “organically”.
The Queen is said to be "coping"
Only weeks have passed since the devastating Oprah interview, which was said to have left William “incandescent” with rage.
Despite this, he and Harry looked relaxed in each other's company as they walked the short distance back to Windsor Castle.
It is understood they later spent “some time together” as they reached the State Apartments, where the Queen had been staying with Philip, out of sight of the television cameras which had broadcast the funeral.
Prince Harry will miss the Queen's birthday this week
Prior to his tet-a-tet with his brother, Harry had reportedly experienced “a great deal of frostiness” from many of his relatives since arriving in Britain a week before the service.
He was forced to self-isolate at Frogmore Cottage, the house given to him and Meghan as a wedding present by the Queen, which they have agreed to reimburse the taxpayer more than £2.4million spent renovating.
Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie apparently failed to acknowledge Harry before or during yesterday's service, it was claimed.
One source told a Sunday newspaper: “There is a deep sense of protection towards the Queen and resentment towards Harry.
“'Ironically the only one who has expressed any sympathy towards him is Prince Andrew,' said one source.
“He knows from Sarah Ferguson - and now first-hand - how it feels to be the outsider, which Harry very much is.
“There is little sympathy for him after what he and Meghan said on Oprah.”