Princes William and Harry joined forces in a rare demonstration of unity for charity to remember their late friend Henry van Straubenzee – just as the Sussexes released their new Netflix trailer.
A joint letter written December 1 for a Christmas carol concert for the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea included the names of both brothers.
It continued to pay tribute to “Henners” using “we” and “us” as the royals presented a unified voice. It is said to be the first time they have made a statement together in at least a year.
Coincidentally, it fell on the same day that Harry and Meghan released the first trailer for their Netflix documentary, which has been branded a “declaration of war” in some quarters.
The tribute letter suggested a sense of unity between the conflicted brothers as they came together in a message for a special family close to their hearts
The letter honoring William and Harry’s late friend Henry van Straubenzee – co-signed by the two brothers – was a rare display of unity, released on the same day as Harry and Meghan’s explosive new Netflix trailer
The promotional trailer, released on the second day of the Prince and Princess of Wales’ high-profile visit to the US, dashed any hopes that the Sussexes would declare a truce in their bitter battle with the royal family.
It included voiceovers of Harry saying, “No one sees what goes on behind closed doors,” alongside a picture of Meghan appearing to be sobbing.
But the letter of tribute suggested a sense of unity between the brothers as they came together in a message for a special family close to their hearts.
The royal brothers are patrons of the charity – founded by Henry’s parents Alex and Claire – and have been involved with the festive event alongside their wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle for the past few years.
The letter was written by William and Harry for a Christmas carol concert for the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund at St Luke’s Church, Chelsea on December 1st
Henry died instantly when a car in which he was a passenger hit a tree outside Ludgrove Preschool in Berkshire, where he and the princes were once students
A family friend of the two princes
Prince Harry once described Henry as “a Polzeath surfing legend and womanizer with whom we shared so many special memories”.
He died instantly when a car in which he was a passenger crashed into a tree outside Ludgrove Preschool in Berkshire, where he and the princes were once students.
Henry was a classmate of Prince Harry, while his older brother Thomas was a friend of the Duke of Cambridge. The foursome are said to have been inseparable growing up.
Harry and William remain close friends with the two surviving van Straubenzee brothers, who both attended the wedding of Thomas van Straubenzee, 38, in 2013
The families have been friends for decades, with her uncle William van Straubenzee, a close friend of her mother Princess Diana.
Younger brother Charlie, 32, is very close to Prince Harry and is godfather to his son Archie, one.
The heartfelt letter read: “We believe everyone here tonight will agree that what Claire and Alex have achieved with the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund since 2009 is nothing short of extraordinary.”
The charity supports schools and helps construct, restore and improve buildings so that children have better and adequately equipped classrooms and facilities such as toilets.
“As you gather under this umbrella tonight, the charity supports 51 kindergarten, primary and secondary schools in rural Uganda where 1700 projects have been completed and each year over 35,000 children benefit by receiving an education they would not otherwise have” , the letter said.
“Where there used to be old, dilapidated and unsafe school buildings, there are now schools with their own water supply, reasonably secure buildings for learning and important sanitary facilities conducive to a healthy learning environment.
“It is therefore with a mixture of great pride and sadness that we share with you tonight Claire and Alex’s plan to phase out the charity.
“Henry’s legacy will live on through the incredible accomplishments of his mother and father over the years. For those of us who knew Henners, we will always miss his mischievous charm and hilarious sense of humor.
“But all who are here tonight, his family and many friends, can come together and remember him twenty years after his death by being here at St Luke’s Church this Christmas season to honor his life and legacy to celebrate.”
Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix documentary is being viewed by the royals as a “declaration of war,” sources said
Royal insiders reacted with horror and mounting anger to the Netflix trailer of Harry and Meghan, which was released on social media ahead of the documentary airing on Netflix next week, as part of the Sussexes’ multi-million dollar deal with the streaming giants
Henry’s brothers Thomas and Charlie remain close to the two royal brothers and are godparents to William’s daughter Princess Charlotte and Harry’s son Archie.
The co-signed letter from William and Harry was carried in order of service at Thursday’s Christmas service, which was attended by close friends – including Princess Kate’s sister and brother Pippa and James, as well as their spouses.
The letter continued, “Claire and Alex tell us their work isn’t over yet!
“As long as funds allow, they will continue to monitor their schools to ensure the children of south-eastern Uganda receive this vital education and provide them with an opportunity to escape poverty when they grow up and hopefully theirs in the future own children. ‘
It concluded: “Thank you for all of your continued support to make this possible and for the everlasting support of the Van family that we all love and adore.
Alongside dozens of supposedly private images from their family album, the footage features a shot focusing on a pinched-looking William and Kate at the 2019 Commonwealth Service in London, while the Sussexes sit humbly behind them
The Netflix series only calls the couple by their first names – “Harry & Meghan”. The trailer for the documentary was released on the same day as William and Harry’s shared and heartfelt charity letter
‘Have a pleasant evening and a Merry Christmas.’ The letter was concluded with a jointly signed signature of the two princes.
However, the ongoing war between the brothers continues as Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix documentary – due out December 8 – suggested a “declaration of war” and featured a sinister photo of Kate Middleton.
The minute-long Netflix teaser strongly suggests the Sussexes will face rumors about their tempestuous relationships with senior royals.
In a deliberately enticing off-screen remark to a producer, Meghan says in the clip, “When the stakes are so high, doesn’t it make more sense to hear our story from us?”
Royal insiders reacted with horror to the trailer, while pundits said it was “deliberately timed” to get away from William and Kate’s US tour.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the trailer’s release timing drew attention away from the Cambridges’ trip to Boston.