The friend added: “The family aren’t briefing against one another. If it’s palace officials going off-piste and providing hostile press briefings on who wears what and when, who lives here or there, then they should think on.

“If it damages an individual royal, it damages the institution, and it doesn’t reflect the private unity of the family.”

As with William and Harry, there have been reports of tensions between the more senior royal brothers after the King allegedly asked the Andrew to consider vacating Royal Lodge, the seven-bedroom home he shares with the Duchess in Windsor Great Park, to save money.

It came after Harry and Meghan were said to be disappointed they would no longer have use of Frogmore Cottage, their Windsor home.

The pair were informed of the planned eviction just 24 hours after the release of Harry’s bombshell memoir, in which he made damaging accusations against his family members, including claims that his brother, Prince William, threw him to the ground during a fight.

While the King’s mood is described as “generally quite forgiving”, Prince William is understood still to feel betrayed by the revelations in the book.

Such is the gulf between the once close brothers that several sources have said they cannot see how their relationship can ever be repaired.

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As a non-working royal, Harry is not expected to take part in the procession after the service or join other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace or for other celebrations.

Meghan will remain in California with the couple’s two children Prince Archie, who turns four that day, and Princess Lilibet, one.

Telegraph, London

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