When Lord Robert Fellowes, the uncle of Prince William and Prince Harry, passed away in July 2024 at the age of 82, his death marked the end of a significant chapter in the extended British royal family. Married to Lady Jane Spencer, the older sister of the late Princess Diana, Lord Fellowes was not only a close family member but also a pivotal figure in the royal household, having served as Queen Elizabeth II’s private secretary during some of the monarchy’s most turbulent years. His passing was a moment of reflection for many, but it was the revelation of his will—detailing a £1.5 million estate—that sparked widespread intrigue. Neither Prince William, the Prince of Wales, nor Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, received a single penny from their uncle’s substantial fortune. Instead, the bulk of the estate was left to Lady Jane Spencer, with smaller bequests to local charities, friends, and institutions like Eton College. This unexpected decision has raised eyebrows and fueled discussions about family dynamics, royal finances, and the personal choices behind such a significant snub. Why did Lord Fellowes make this choice, and what does it reveal about the state of the royal family today?

Lord Fellowes’ life was one of service and discretion. Born in 1941, he joined the Royal Household in 1977 and rose to the position of private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II in the 1990s, a period that included the fallout from Princess Diana’s divorce from then-Prince Charles and her tragic death in 1997. As Diana’s brother-in-law, Fellowes was uniquely positioned at the intersection of personal family ties and official royal duties. His marriage to Lady Jane Spencer connected him directly to the Spencer family, and he was known to have maintained a close relationship with both William and Harry during their formative years. Lady Jane, in particular, has been a steadfast supporter of the princes, attending significant events like Harry’s Invictus Games anniversary in 2024 and maintaining a presence in their lives despite the growing rift between the brothers.

The details of Lord Fellowes’ will, finalized in 2012 and authorized for probate by the High Court of Justice in May 2025, paint a clear picture of his priorities. His estate, valued at £1,517,418 after a £4,000 deduction for legal fees, was primarily bequeathed to Lady Jane, with their son, Alexander Fellowes, named as a co-executor. Smaller gifts were distributed to select beneficiaries: £1,000 to Tapping House Hospice in West Snettisham, £500 to St Mary’s Church in Snettisham (where his funeral was held), £1,000 to the Rhodes Trust at Oxford University, £5,000 to Eton College (his alma mater), and £1,000 to Andrew Grange, a local handyman who assisted the couple at their Norfolk estate. These modest bequests reflect Lord Fellowes’ commitment to his community and personal connections, but the absence of William and Harry as beneficiaries has drawn significant attention.

One might wonder why Lord Fellowes, who was reportedly fond of both princes, chose not to include them in his will. Several factors likely influenced this decision. First, both William and Harry are independently wealthy, with access to substantial inheritances from their mother, Princess Diana, and their great-grandmother, the Queen Mother. Diana left an estate of approximately £13 million (after taxes), split equally between her sons, which has grown through investments to over £20 million. Additionally, the Queen Mother’s trust fund, established in 1994, provided William and Harry with around £6 million at age 21 and an additional £8 million at age 40, with Harry reportedly receiving a larger share due to his position further down the line of succession. William, as the heir to the throne, also benefits from the Duchy of Cornwall, which generated nearly £23 million in profits in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Harry, while no longer a working royal, has built a considerable fortune through media deals, including a reported $20 million advance for his memoir Spare and a multi-year Netflix contract. Given their financial security, Lord Fellowes may have felt that neither prince needed additional support from his estate.

Another consideration is the traditional structure of aristocratic and royal wills, which often prioritize immediate family members. Lord Fellowes’ decision to leave the bulk of his estate to Lady Jane aligns with common practice among married couples, particularly those of his generation, where the surviving spouse inherits the majority of assets to ensure their financial stability. Lady Jane, now in her late 70s, has been a devoted partner and a key figure in the Spencer family’s ongoing connection to the royals. By directing his wealth to her, Lord Fellowes ensured that she could maintain their lifestyle and continue her role as a family matriarch. The inclusion of their son, Alexander, as an executor further suggests a focus on keeping the estate within the immediate Fellowes family.

The exclusion of William and Harry also raises questions about the broader dynamics within the royal family, particularly the well-documented tensions between the brothers. In August 2024, both princes attended Lord Fellowes’ memorial service at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, a rare moment when they were in the same place. However, reports indicate that they did not speak to each other, standing “virtually back to back” during the event. This silent rift, which has persisted since Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from royal duties in 2020, has been a source of public fascination and family sorrow. Lord Fellowes and Lady Jane were among the few figures seen as capable of bridging the divide, with Jane maintaining relationships with both princes. Harry, in his memoir Spare, expressed gratitude to Jane, her sister Sarah McCorquodale, and their brother Earl Spencer for their support after Diana’s death. Yet, the decision to exclude both princes from the will suggests that Lord Fellowes may have chosen neutrality in the brothers’ feud, avoiding any perception of favoritism by leaving his estate to his wife and select causes.

The public reaction to this news has been mixed, reflecting the polarized views on the royal family. Some see Lord Fellowes’ decision as a pragmatic choice, given the princes’ wealth and the natural prioritization of his wife. Others view it as a subtle commentary on the state of the royal family, particularly Harry’s estrangement from his royal roots. Social media platforms have buzzed with speculation, with some users suggesting that the snub reflects disapproval of Harry’s public criticisms of the monarchy, while others argue that William’s exclusion indicates a broader family strategy to streamline inheritances. These interpretations, while speculative, highlight the enduring public interest in royal affairs and the personal decisions that shape them.

Lord Fellowes’ will also underscores the contrast between his modest bequests and the vast wealth associated with the royal family. His gifts to local institutions and individuals, such as the £1,000 to a handyman and £500 to a church, reflect a grounded approach to legacy, rooted in his life in Norfolk. The £5,000 donation to Eton College, where he was educated, and £1,000 to the Rhodes Trust, which supports international scholarships, suggest a commitment to education and community impact. These choices paint a picture of a man who valued personal connections and local ties over grand gestures, even in death.

For William and Harry, the exclusion from their uncle’s will is unlikely to have a significant financial impact, but it may carry emotional weight. The memorial service, attended by both princes, was a testament to Lord Fellowes’ importance in their lives, with the officiating vicar noting that their presence would have meant a great deal to him. Yet, the brothers’ inability to reconcile at the event underscores the deeper fractures within the family. Lady Jane, who has navigated these tensions with grace, remains a pivotal figure, supporting both William and Harry while preserving her late husband’s legacy.

As the dust settles on this royal inheritance drama, the focus shifts to the broader implications. Lord Fellowes’ will is a reminder that even in a family defined by wealth and tradition, personal choices can spark debate and reflection. By prioritizing his wife and community, he left a legacy that speaks to loyalty and simplicity, even as it sidesteps two of the world’s most prominent princes. For those watching from afar, this story is a window into the complexities of royal life, where money, family, and duty intersect in unexpected ways. The decision has ignited conversations across the globe, and it’s clear that Lord Fellowes’ final act will be remembered as much for what it excluded as for what it included. For now, the royal family moves forward, with Lady Jane at the helm of her husband’s estate and the brothers navigating their separate paths, their uncle’s will a poignant footnote in their ongoing saga.