Prince Harry will return to the UK later this month to attend a high-profile charity event in London.
It has been announced that the Duke of Sussex will be a guest at the annual WellChild Awards in his role as the charity’s patron.
The national charity for seriously ill children is one of the few UK-based organisations that the prince kept links with after his acrimonious departure from royal duties and move to the US.
He chose to remain in the position, which he has held for 16 years, when his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, asked him to step down from his other royal patronages as a now non-working member of the family.
Prince Harry and Meghan seen during their visit to Colombia on August 15
Last September he attended the WellChild Awards at the Hurlingham Club in London (above), after having missed the previous year as it fell on the same day the Queen died
The official X, formerly Twitter account of the Royal Family, posted a birthday greeting to the Duke of Sussex, as Harry celebrated his 40th birthday across the Pond
Prince Harry also received a surprise birthday message from Prince William and Kate just a few hours after the King and Queen posted the message
There was no mention of his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, accompanying him.
According to some reports she has vowed never to set foot in the UK again, and when she flew into the UK earlier this year when the couple visited Nigeria she didn’t even set foot outside the airport.
On Monday the Daily Mail revealed that Harry may travel to the UK to attend the awards, after both Buckingham and Kensington Palace’s chose to wish him happy 40th birthday on their social media channels.
With the King currently based in Scotland but returning to London regularly for his ongoing cancer treatment, it could give an opportunity for father and son to actually meet in private.
However the King has a major engagement in Scotland just two days before Harry’s when he and Queen Camilla visit the Scottish Parliament to mark its 25th anniversary.
This suggests he could well remain north of the border while his son is in the country.
The last time they saw each other was in February when it was announced that the King had cancer and the prince flew from the US to see him briefly.
When he returned again in May, however, the King was too busy to meet, although His Majesty did offer him alternative accommodation in one of the royal properties, contrary to reports. Harry chose to stay in a hotel instead.
It has recently been made clear by sources close to the Sussexes that the prince is keen to find a way to reconcile with his father.
The Mail revealed on Saturday that he also wants to find a way to return to the UK more regularly, but his insistence on taking the Home Office to court over their decision to withdraw his full-time security detail when he stepped down is a sticking point.
Trust has also been at a low point after Harry’s score-settling memoir and regular leaks coming from his own camp about private conversations with family members, most notably the King.
The Duke of Sussex has been a patron of the organisation for 16 years. Pictured at the WellChild Awards 2023
The WellChild Awards was always one of the highlights of Prince Harry’s calendar when he was a working royal and celebrate the inspirational qualities of children and young people living with serious illnesses or complex medical needs, as well as honour the dedication of family and carers.
In its announcement WellChild said Harry had provided ‘invaluable help’ in raising awareness and financial contributions over the years.
He has attended the WellChild Awards on twelve previous occasions and will spend time with each winner and their families at a pre-ceremony reception.
He will also be in the audience at the ceremony and present the Award for Inspirational Child (aged 4-6) and deliver a speech.
In a statement he said: ‘I am once again honoured to attend this year’s WellChild Awards celebrating the remarkable courage and achievements of children living with complex medical needs. These incredible young people, along with the dedicated caregivers, nurses, and professionals who tirelessly support them, inspire us all. It is a true privilege to recognise such extraordinary individuals.’
WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James commented: ‘Across the UK, an increasing number of children and young people are living with long-term, complex medical needs.
Trust has also been at a low point after Harry’s score-settling memoir
‘Alongside their families, they navigate extraordinary challenges each day. Through the WellChild Awards 2024, in association with GSK, we aim to highlight the immense difficulties they face and to celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit.
‘This event also offers an opportunity to honour the selfless dedication of those who support them – whether it be siblings, parent carers or professionals who have gone above and beyond to give these children the best possible chance to thrive.’
It comes after The Prince and Princess of Wales joined the King and Queen in wishing Prince Harry a happy birthday on social media, posting messages to mark the Duke of Sussex’s 40th birthday.
The last time the royals shared a public greeting for Harry’s birthday was back in 2021, suggesting that relations have improved in more recent months.
The official X, formerly Twitter, account for the Royal Family, posted the birthday wishes to Prince Harry around 8:30am UK time, and William and Kate’s official account shared a similar greeting mid morning.
While tensions between William and Harry remain, it was uncertain whether Prince William would make a public gesture to acknowledge his brother’s milestone birthday.
The surprise greeting could be seen as an olive branch that could help to smooth relations between the warring siblings.
Earlier, the King and Queen’s simple message, marked with a birthday cake emoji read: ‘Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!’