Prince Harry returns to Frogmore Cottage to quarantine before Philip’s funeral

Prince Harry has returned to Frogmore Cottage to quarantine before his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh‘s funeral on Saturday.

The Duke of Sussex has returned to the home he shared with wife Meghan Markle and their son Archie after a £2.4m taxpayer-funded renovation to the property, which sits within the grounds of Windsor Castle. 

Harry arrived at Heathrow Airport via a British Airways flight from Los Angeles yesterday, following the death of Prince Philip on Friday.

Harry is entitled to attend his grandfather’s funeral due to a provision in the law that allows mourners to leave quarantine on ‘compassionate’ grounds. 

Prince Harry lived with Meghan Markle and their son Archie at Frogmore Cottage before leaving for the US. The luxurious home has undergone a £2.4m taxpayer-funded renovation

Prince Harry flew in to Heathrow Airport yesterday, ahead of the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip, who died last Friday

Prince Harry flew in to Heathrow Airport yesterday, ahead of the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip, who died last Friday

The cottage was used by Harry and Meghan in the months following the birth of their son Archie, who is the Duke of Edinburgh’s great-grandchild.

The Grade II listed property, which has four bedrooms and a nursery, is set close to the winding lakes, wooded mounds, glades, walks and bridges of the gardens at Frogmore, and close to the Queen’s residence at Windsor Castle.

The property underwent major work to turn five properties back into a single home which cost £2.4 million of taxpayers’ money.

The couple have since repaid the cost of the renovations with money from a lucrative deal made with Netflix, rumoured to have been worth more than £100 million.

In November 2020 it was reported that Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank had moved into Frogmore Cottage.

Meghan, who is heavily pregnant with the couple's second child, has remained in California after being advised against flying

Meghan, who is heavily pregnant with the couple’s second child, has remained in California after being advised against flying

Though Harry has returned to the UK for this funeral, Meghan, who is heavily pregnant with her second child and previously suffered a miscarriage, has remained in California after being advised against flying.

It is the first time the 36-year-old duke has been in the UK since last March, when he stepped down as a senior working royal for a new life of personal and financial freedom in the US.

Earlier today, Prince Harry released a statement praising his grandfather, describing him as a ‘legend of banter,’ signing off ‘Per Marre, Per Tarrem’ the motto of the Royal Marines.

The statement read: ‘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.’

Harry’s trip in honour of Philip, who died on Friday at the age of 99, comes just weeks after an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which he and Meghan accused the royal family of racism and the institution of failing to support the suicidal duchess.

Prince Harry's tribute to his grandpa Prince Philip, who he called a 'legend of banter', was released via the Archewell charity he set up with Meghan, not Buckingham Palace

Prince Harry’s tribute to his grandpa Prince Philip, who he called a ‘legend of banter’, was released via the Archewell charity he set up with Meghan, not Buckingham Palace

It is understood Harry will be following all procedures to ensure he complies with Covid-19 regulations.

As Philip’s funeral is due to take place on Saturday, Harry will not have time to complete the full 10-day quarantine period.

The rules, however, do allow a person to temporarily leave their place of quarantine on compassionate grounds, which includes funerals.

Harry will have had to return a negative coronavirus test result in the three days before he travelled, and will have completed a passenger locator form with details of where he will be spending his quarantine.

He will also have had to book a travel test package, which involves two tests, one to be taken on or before the second day of his quarantine, and the second on or after his eighth day of quarantine.

Harry could also participate in the ‘Test to Release’ scheme.

Prince Harry and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final. Earlier today the Duke of Sussex released a statement paying tribute to his grandfather, saying he was 'master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right 'til the end'

Prince Harry and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final. Earlier today the Duke of Sussex released a statement paying tribute to his grandfather, saying he was ‘master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ’til the end’

Under the scheme, if he pays for a private test from an approved supplier five days into quarantine, he may be free to leave if the result is negative.

Tests cost around £130.

If Harry was to break the quarantine rules, he would risk a penalty of up to £10,000, and if he fails to take the tests on day two and day eight, he could be fined a maximum of £2,000.

Some commentators have suggested the funeral could allow Harry to spend some quality time with his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, in a bid to heal their rift.

But as they are from different households, they will still have to maintain social distancing of two metres.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said previously that the royal family would be following coronavirus rules throughout the funeral.

Mourners are also advised to be respectful of those who are clinically vulnerable to Covid-19 and ‘avoid close contact at any point’, potentially limiting Harry’s time with his 94-year-old grandmother, the Queen.