Prince Harry arrives back in Britain for grandfather’s funeral

Harry flies in from US to quarantine in time for Duke of Edinburgh's farewell service

The Honourable Artillery Company fires a gun salute at the Tower of London, with Tower Bridge in the background, to mark the death of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the age of 99. Getty Images

The Death Gun Salute is fired by the 104th Regiment Royal Artillery to mark the death of Prince Philip, at Cardiff Castle in Wales. AFP

Britain's Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrive at Windsor Castle, England. AP Photo

Members of the Household Cavalry ride past Buckingham Palace, London. Reuters

Members of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery arrive at the Parade Ground, Woolwich Barracks, London. AFP

Members of the Honourable Artillery Company in advance of a gun salute to mark the death of Prince Philip, at the Tower of London. AFP

A well-wisher waits in line to lay a floral tribute to Britain's Prince Philip, outside Buckingham Palace, London. AFP

A cyclist rides past a digital display commemorating Prince Philip, in Glasgow, Scotland. Getty Images

Rugby players observe a minute's silence in tribute to Prince Philip before the European Challenge Cup Quarter Final match between Bath Rugby and London Irish, in Bath, England. Reuters

Copies of the 'Courier Mail' at a news stand in Brisbane, Australia, with news of Prince Philip's death. Getty Images

Flags on Sydney Harbour Bridge fly at half-mast, in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images

Flags at half-mast outside the Senedd, home of the Welsh Parliament, in Cardiff, Wales. Getty Images

Members of media near a community gate at the home of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex in Montecito, California, US, after the announcement of the death of Britain's Prince Philip. AP Photo

Actor Sir Ian McKellen looks at floral tributes outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England. Getty Images

The big screen inside the stadium displays a commemorative message on the death of Prince Philip, at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground, in Manchester, England. Getty Images

The British Columbia Legislature flies the Canadian flag at half-mast in Victoria, as piper Ken Wilson plays the 'Heights of Dargai'. AP Photo

Floral tributes outside Buckingham Palace in London. Getty Images

Floral tributes outside Windsor Castle. Getty Images

A mourner draped in a British Union Jack flag takes pictures of flowers placed outside Windsor Castle. Reuters

Miniature Schnauzer dog Lady Trixie of Linfield sits in front of tributes to Prince Philip at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland, during the midday 41 gun salute. Getty Images

Naomi Armstrong and her daughters Lily and Essie leave a bunch of flowers at the gates of Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland, in tribute to Prince Philip. Getty Images

The Union Jack flag flies at half-mast at Buckingham Palace, London. Getty Images

Members of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a gun salute to mark the death of Prince Philip, at the Parade Ground, Woolwich Barracks, London. Reuters

A member of the public person holds a floral tribute to Prince Philip outside Buckingham Palace, London. Reuters

A girl lays flowers as tribute to Prince Philip outside Buckingham Palace, in London. Getty Images

Soldiers from 206 Battery, 105 Royal Artillery, take part in a gun salute to the Duke of Edinburgh at Hillsborough Castle in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland. Getty Images

Britain's Prince Charles addresses the media, outside Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, England, following the death of his father, Prince Philip. AP Photo

A big screen displays an image commemorating Prince Philip, before the Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park, London. Reuters

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.