Prince Harry Skips Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday, Flies Back To California

Prince Harry is back in California after attending the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip in London on Saturday. He didn't stay back to celebrate his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s 95th birthday on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old took an American Airlines flight that landed in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon. He was driven to his home in Montecito, California, Page Six reported.

Harry chose to fly out given the rift with his father Prince Charles and brother Prince William caused by his decision to emigrate and his controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey, still seemingly unresolved, reported Daily Mail.

Following the funeral, William and Harry took "baby steps" towards working on their relationship after they walked back to Windsor Castle from St George's Chapel together. They were pushed together by Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Charles and William reportedly preferred to meet Harry together at Windsor so that nobody's words could be misconstrued later on. An unnamed source said, "Obviously after the worldwide fallout of the Oprah interview trust has to be rebuilt. There was no official wake after the funeral, but Charles, William and Harry took the opportunity to speak and catch-up face to face after many months apart."

"They were only able to spend a short time together outdoors given Covid restrictions and also without staff, including senior courtiers, overhearing what was being said. It was important to Charles and William that they were both there together. It means nothing spoken about can be misconstrued in the future."

Earlier it was speculated that Harry had been planning to stay for the Queen's birthday, but sources said that he was "conflicted" about the decision and wanted to get home to Meghan, who is expecting their second child.

Harry's recent visit to the UK for the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh was his first trip back to Britain in a year. Meghan was told not to travel with him, but she reportedly sent a handwritten note and a wreath.

According to sources, Harry received a frosty reception when he appeared at the funeral and was mostly ignored by senior royals.

Meanwhile, a birthday tweet on behalf of the Royal Family said that this year, the Queen "remains at Windsor Castle during a period of Royal Mourning following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh."

The Queen also had a message for "people across the world who have sent tributes and messages of condolence following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh."

This was her first birthday without Prince Philip in more than seven decades.