A royal commentator has claimed the Sussexes rely on Earl Spencer for 'moral support'

Earl Charles Spencer is an important "ally" for Prince Harry, a royal commentator has claimed.

Richard Fitzwilliams opened up about the Duke of Sussex's decision to stay with his uncle, Earl Spencer, during his time in the UK.

An Instagram post from Meghan Markle confirmed that Harry had taken his family to Earl Spencer's Althorp estate during their trip to the UK earlier this month.

The Northamptonshire home is also the resting place of Princess Diana. It is the first time Archie and Lilibet visited the grave, and just the second time Meghan has done so.

The move came after an invitation to lodge at Buckingham Palace was pulled at the last moment, leaving Harry without accommodation from his father's side.

Mr Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail: "The Windsors and the Spencers have a superficially polite relationship."

Harry's five-day trip to Britain centred on Invictus Games commitments and engagements with his former charities. Though he had hoped to travel with his wife and children, the duke arrived in London alone.

Just hours before his landing, turmoil erupted when the Palace accommodation offer was rescinded. The Palace had grown frustrated after Harry delayed his response to the initial invitation, and royal aides subsequently indicated the window had closed.

Meghan then entered the country covertly with Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, owing to persistent security worries, and ultimately took refuge at Earl Spencer's 13,000-acre Althorp estate.

Mr Fitzwilliams characterised the bond between the two families as courteous on a surface level.

"The Sussexes have an ally in Britain which they can use as and when they choose to return," he claimed.

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Mr Fitzwilliams predicted that on subsequent visits, the Sussexes would probably choose the Spencers over royal residences.

"Whatever reception they receive from the Royal Family, they can be assured of a warm welcome and moral support from the Spencers," he said.

Prince William, meanwhile, made his own feelings plain during the Sussexes' meeting with the King and Queen Camilla at Highgrove.

Rather than attending, he played polo with Catherine's support, a gesture Mr Fitzwilliams told GB News "was deliberate".

"He feels betrayed, because of Spare and the other interviews... So that's his view, and he made it clear because polo at that time... It's obvious. They haven't spoken for years," he said.