Lord Robert Fellowes, former private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II and brother-in-law to Princess Diana, passed away on July 29, 2024, at the age of 82. His will, recently made public, reveals that his entire estate, valued at over £1.5 million, was left to his wife, Lady Jane Fellowes, with no provisions for his nephews, Princes William and Harry.Entire fortune to wife and a handymanThe will, drafted in 2012, allocated most of Lord Fellowes’ estate to his wife, Lady Jane, Diana’s older sister. Additionally, modest bequests were made: £1,000 to a local hospice, £500 to St. Mary’s Church, £5,000 to Eton College, and £1,000 to a handyman. Notably absent from the will were any inheritances for his three children—Laura, Alexander, and Eleanor—or his famous nephews, Prince William and Harry.
Family dynamics and royal relationsLord Fellowes’ decision to exclude his children and royal nephews from his will has raised questions. While specific reasons remain undisclosed, it’s possible that provisions were made for his children through other means during his lifetime. As for Princes William and Harry, their omission might reflect the complex dynamics within the royal family.
Both princes attended Lord Fellowes’ memorial service at St. Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, on August 28, 2024. However, reports indicate that the brothers maintained a distance and did not interact during the service, highlighting ongoing tensions.
A church warden told local media, “It was wonderful that both princes were able to attend their uncle’s memorial service yesterday at St. Mary’s Church.”
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Still, their silence at the service reflected the ongoing rift between the two.Who was Lord Fellowes?Born in 1941, Lord Robert Fellowes served as Queen Elizabeth II’s private secretary and senior royal insider from 1990 to 1999, a period marked by significant challenges for the monarchy, including the Windsor Castle fire and the death of Princess Diana. He was instrumental in advising the Queen during these tumultuous times and was pivotal in modernising royal protocols.In 1978, he married Lady Jane Spencer, Diana’s elder sister, further intertwining his life with the royal family. The couple had three children: Laura, Alexander, and Eleanor. Their daughter Laura is notably the godmother to Princess Charlotte, Prince William’s daughter.
In 1999, he was made a life peer and became Baron Fellowes of Shotesham. Despite his royal ties, his will shows he chose to keep his legacy within his immediate family.
No place for princes in his willHis decision to exclude William and Harry has raised eyebrows, especially given his close connection to Diana and his past service to the royal family.
While he remembered his handyman and old institutions, the young royals received nothing. The will does not explain, but the silence speaks volumes.