Prince Harry arrives back in the UK for Prince Philip’s funeral without Meghan Markle to join Royal Family in mourning

PRINCE Harry made the 5,400-mile journey back to the UK yesterday to make sure he could attend his grandad Philip’s funeral.

The Duke of Sussex was seen getting off a British Airways flight from Los Angeles that arrived at Heathrow at 1.15pm.

🔵 Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip's death...

It comes as:

• Philip’s funeral will be broadcast to the nation on TV next Saturday, with Charles leading a procession to the chapel at Windsor Castle
• The Duke of Edinburgh told son Charles he must 'lead the family and look after the Queen' in hospital heart-to-heart
• Boris Johnson will not attend the funeral to allow more space for the Royal Family
• Mourners flock to Buckingham Palace - but officials remove tributes in a bid to keep crowds under control
• The Queen was 'by her husband's side' as he died - and Philip spent his final days enjoying the sunshine

The 36-year-old, wearing chinos and a jacket plus a black face mask, was met by security staff with police cars also on the tarmac.

He was put into a black Range Rover and whisked away.

Sources had earlier confirmed he was due back imminently to quarantine in time for the Duke of Edinburgh’s farewell at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, on Saturday.

It was thought Harry was driven to Kensington Palace, where he could stay at Nottingham Cottage — the home he and Meghan once shared.

Harry, sixth in line to the throne, was at his £11million Montecito mansion in California when he was told the news of Prince Philip’s death on Friday morning.

Sources close to the couple said Meghan, 39, wanted to join her husband but was advised against travelling by her doctor as she is pregnant with their second child.

A black Cadillac Escalade was seen leaving their home on Saturday evening taking him to LA airport where he boarded an early-hours flight for the ten-hour trip.

One witness confirmed: “He landed at Heathrow — I saw him getting into an escorted car.”

This is the first time Harry has been in the UK since last March — and comes as the Royal Family ordered a truce over the contents of his explosive Oprah Winfrey interview to focus on honouring Prince Philip.

The Queen has declared a two-week royal mourning period.

An insider said: “Family conversations now will be on the passing of Prince Philip — and nothing else.

“The Queen has declared royal mourning for two weeks so it’s quite clear that is the focus.

“Conversations will be private but the focus will be on emotional ­matters of dealing with a father and grandfather.”

It is thought Harry opted for Kensington Palace in central London because his official home under the Megxit deal — the historic Grade II-listed Frogmore Cottage in Home Park at Windsor, — has been handed to Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.

Harry will now have to quarantine for ten days — though he can leave it after five days if he provides a negative test under the Government’s approved Test to Release scheme.

But he will be allowed to attend Philip’s funeral regardless.

Guidelines state those coming in from abroad can leave isolation “on compassionate grounds”.

The guidance adds: “This includes attending a funeral of a household member, a close family member or a friend.”

But he must continue to self- isolate afterwards until he has finished his quarantine period. Prince Charles is said to be “looking forward” to a reunion with his son.

STATUE OF PHILIP

A source added: “I’m sure Charles will be very happy to see him. It’s been more than a year now.”

It was believed that some of Harry’s multi-millionaire friends had offered the Duke their private jets for the flight.

But the Prince has previously been blasted for his use of private jets while championing the cause of reducing people’s global carbon footprint.

Hollywood producer pal Tyler Perry loaned Harry his plane to flee Vancouver for California last March just as the US border closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Oprah used her £50million private jet to fly from Hawaii to Santa Barbara for the interview with Harry and Meghan that was broadcast last month.

Meanwhile, it emerged that plans for a statue on The Mall in central London to commemorate Philip have the backing of MPs.

There is cross-party support for the move, with one saying it would be a “fitting tribute to mark a lifetime of public service and duty”.

Both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are also believed to be in favour of such proposals.

The potential location in The Mall would be in sight of Buckingham Palace.

A petition calling for the statue has already been signed by thousands of people after it was launched shortly after Philip’s death was announced on Friday.