Prince Harry arrives back in Britain for grandfather’s funeral

Prince Harry arrived back in Britain on Sunday for his grandfather's funeral in Windsor, The Sun newspaper reported.

Harry was due home after landing at Heathrow airport from Los Angeles, to enter quarantine in time for the Duke of Edinburgh's farewell service on April 17.

Buckingham Palace said his pregnant wife Meghan would not attend as she was advised not to travel by her physician.

Queen Elizabeth II has described the death of Prince Philip as having left a "huge void", her son the Duke of York said.

After a small service at All Saints Church in Windsor on Sunday, Prince Andrew said his father's death was a "terrible loss" to his family.

"We've lost almost the grandfather of the nation and I feel very sorry and supportive of my mother, who's feeling it probably more than everybody else," Andrew said.

His younger brother Prince Edward called Philip’s death a “dreadful shock”, but said the queen was “bearing up”.

Edward’s wife Sophie said the queen was “thinking of others before herself”.

The Duke of Edinburgh's life was celebrated at church services across Britain on Sunday.

People gathered at palaces to leave flowers as part of eight days of national mourning, while religious and political leaders expressed support for the queen, 94, the world's oldest and longest-reigning monarch.

The Archbishop of Canterbury prayed for all those who had found a "very great gap" in their lives after the duke's death.

Justin Welby, leader of the global Anglican Communion, said the fact that the prince had lived to within two months of his 100th birthday did not soften the blow for those who loved him.

"Loss is loss," he said. "We may pray and offer love for all who find that a great life leaves a very great gap."

John Major, who was Britain's prime minister from 1990 to 1997, said he hoped the queen would be given the time she needed to grieve after losing her husband of 73 years.

Mr Major said being the head of state was a "very lonely position in many ways" and the queen would feel the loss of a man on whom she had relied for decades.

"I know she is the monarch, I know she has responsibilities, but she has earned the right to have a period of privacy in which to grieve with her family," he told the BBC.

Mr Major, who was guardian to Princes William and Harry after their mother Princess Diana died, said he hoped the funeral would help to reunite the family after an interview given by Harry and his wife Meghan to Oprah Winfrey last month.

"The friction that we are told has arisen is a friction better ended as speedily as possible," he said.

The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, told Times Radio he hoped the private nature of the funeral would allow the family to come together and rebuild ties.

Prince Philip’s funeral will be held at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, at 3pm UK time on April 17.

It will be a private family service, Buckingham Palace announced, and the duke will not lie in state.

In accordance with the UK’s Covid-19 restrictions, only 30 people will attend and all will have to wear a mask.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would give his entitled seat at the funeral to a family member.

“It will be what’s known as a ceremonial royal funeral,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

“The plans for the funeral are very much in line with the Duke of Edinburgh’s own personal wishes.”

There will be no public access, no public processions and the funeral will take place within the grounds of Windsor Palace.