The Dukes of Sussex and Cambridge are expected to meet this coming Thursday for the unveiling of the statue, on what would have been their mother’s 60th birthday. The event comes as the royal siblings struggle to heal the rift in their relationship following Harry’s decision to step back as a senior royal.
However, royal expert Camilla Tominey predicted the brothers would not be able to bury the hatchet while Harry is in the UK.
She wrote in The Telegraph: “Of course they will put on a brave face for the event like they did at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
“They both know it is not about them but remembering the late princess.
“But the idea that this can all be forgiven and forgotten… it’s going to take a lot longer than a couple of days.”
Harry jetted to England alone on Friday where, under current Covid rules, he will be required to remain in quarantine for 10 days.
However, he is likely to be freed from restrictions under the test to release scheme if coronavirus results on day two and five are negative.
A spokeswoman for Harry said he arrived “safely” at Frogmore Cottage on Friday night where he will be quarantining ahead of the event on July 1.
The statue unveiling will be the first time the brothers have spoken face-to-face since Prince Philip’s funeral back in April.
Commenting on the rift between the brothers, Royal expert Angela Levin told OK! magazine earlier this month: “William and Harry may get a chance to talk and try to resolve some issues.
“His short trips back to the UK don’t leave enough time for healing.”
She added that despite the rift, the brothers would not do anything to jeopardize the event as the unveiling means a “great deal to both of them”.
Prince Harry and William have been working together on the project since 2017.
It will honour the “life and legacy” of their late mother, the Princess of Wales.
Ms Levin added the rift between the brothers is “a huge embarrassment” and hopes the event will not be “clouded by the current situation”.
She said: “I just hope it doesn’t take attention away from the extraordinary woman they are celebrating.”
