Harry and William’s uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes – who died in July aged 82 – left almost all of his entire fortune to his wife, Lady Jane Fellowes – Princess Diana’s older sister
Prince William and Prince Harry were left out of their uncle’s £1.5 million will – with not a single penny going towards either of the royal brothers. Lord Robert Fellowes, who died in July aged 82, left almost all his entire fortune to his wife – Lady Jane Fellowes – Princess Diana’s older sister.
Despite their close family ties, neither the Prince of Wales or Duke of Sussex featured in the life peer’s final wishes. Both princes attended Lord Fellowes’ memorial service in the small village of Snettisham last August, where they reportedly stood “virtually back to back” and didn’t exchange a word amid claims of a rift between them.
Newly released probate records confirm Lord Fellowes left an estate worth £1,517,418, The Sun reports. After legal costs of £4,000, only a handful of modest bequests were made.
£1,000 was given to a local hospice, £500 to St Mary’s Church where the memorial was held, £5,000 to his alma mater Eton College and £1,000 to Andrew Grange – a handyman who worked at the couple’s home near Sandrigham.
The rest went to his widow, Lady Jane – with nothing earmarked for either of her royal nephews, who haven’t been seen publicly together since the service.
Lord Fellowes, portrayed by Andrew Havill in The Crown, married Lady Jane in 1978 – three years before her sister Diana married then-Prince Charles. A trusted aide to the late Queen Elizabeth II, he served in her private office for over 20 years, including nine as her Private Secretary during one of the monarchy’s most turbulent eras.
Despite his central role in royal life and close connection to William and Harry, Lord Fellowes made no provisions for them in his will – a silence that speaks volumes amid the ongoing tensions within the Royal Family.
Reverend Dan Tansley, who led his memorial service, said at the time: “It was a lovely service and there were a lot of people who wanted to be there for someone who was really well-respected in the village.
“It was only as I was greeting the congregation on the way out that Prince William was shaking my hand, and then very quickly after Prince Harry did too.
“It wasn’t a tremendous shock William was there, as that was always a possibility but I suppose it was more of a surprise that Harry had come.”
“I don’t recollect them speaking to each other but there were a lot of family members and friends speaking to them. It would have meant a lot to Lord Robert to have them both at the service because I know both he and his auntie love them both very much.”