The Duke of Sussex has not been in the UK since losing a battle with the Home Office over security arrangements in May…reports Asian Lite News
Prince Harry will return to Britain next month for the first time since May, marking a poignant anniversary with a cause close to his heart. The Duke of Sussex is set to attend the annual WellChild Awards on 8 September, coinciding with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The Duke, 40, who now resides in California with his wife Meghan Markle, 44, has been patron of the national children’s charity for 17 years. WellChild supports seriously ill young people across the country and their families, helping them to live as fulfilling lives as possible outside of hospital.
Harry will present an award to an “inspirational child” between the ages of four and six, deliver a speech, and spend time with award recipients, their families, and healthcare professionals. The visit will be his fifteenth appearance at the awards ceremony, which he has described as one of the most meaningful engagements in his public diary.
In a statement issued ahead of the event, the Duke said: “I am always privileged to attend the WellChild Awards and meet the incredible children, families and professionals who inspire us all with their strength and spirit. For 20 years, these awards have highlighted the courage of young people living with complex health needs and shone a light on the devoted caregivers – family and professionals – who support them every step of the way. Their stories remind us of the power of compassion, connection and community.”
The charity, which has grown in prominence since Harry’s involvement began in 2007, works to ensure that children with serious medical needs can be cared for at home rather than in hospital whenever possible. Its initiatives include specialist nurses, training for carers, and projects aimed at improving home environments to make them safe and accessible.
Harry’s return comes on a date of deep significance for the Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, sparking a period of national mourning. Her passing not only reshaped the monarchy, elevating Charles III to the throne, but also marked a turning point in the Duke of Sussex’s personal journey with his family.
The anniversary is expected to be observed privately by the King and other members of the Royal Family. However, Harry’s presence in Britain on the same day will inevitably attract attention, with speculation likely to swirl about whether he will reconcile, even briefly, with his father and elder brother, the Prince of Wales.
Relations have been strained since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties in 2020, followed by their high-profile interviews, documentaries and Harry’s memoir Spare. The book contained candid and sometimes bruising accounts of his relationship with Prince William and of his frustrations with the monarchy.
While Buckingham Palace has made no comment on Harry’s plans, royal watchers will be scrutinising his visit for any sign of rapprochement. A meeting with the King, who has continued treatment for cancer this year, is seen by some commentators as possible but far from guaranteed.
Harry was last seen in Britain in May, when he attended an event linked to his Invictus Games initiative. That visit came shortly after he lost a long-running legal battle with the Home Office over changes to his security arrangements in the UK. A judge ruled that the government had acted lawfully when it downgraded his taxpayer-funded protection following his decision to step back from royal duties.
The security issue remains a sensitive point for the Duke, who has argued that it affects his ability to visit the country safely with Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Duchess of Sussex is not expected to join her husband in London next month.
Supporters of the Duke say his ongoing work with WellChild reflects his commitment to causes that echo those championed by his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Like Diana, Harry has often chosen to shine a light on charities working with vulnerable or marginalised groups, and his longstanding association with WellChild is seen as one of the most consistent elements of his public life.
Chris Hill, WellChild’s Chief Executive, said the Duke’s involvement over the years had been “transformational” in raising awareness of the charity’s work. “Families facing the challenges of caring for a seriously ill child often feel invisible,” he said. “Having Prince Harry as a vocal and active patron has given those families a powerful advocate and made their voices heard.”
The 2025 WellChild Awards will take place in central London and are expected to be attended by celebrity supporters, healthcare leaders and families from across the UK. The event will celebrate children and young people who have shown remarkable courage in the face of life-limiting conditions, as well as the nurses, doctors and carers who support them.
For Harry, the evening promises to be another opportunity to champion a cause he has steadfastly stood by for nearly two decades. But for observers, his presence in the capital on such a significant date raises questions not just about his charity work but also about his standing within the family he left behind.
Whether the visit becomes a quiet return focused solely on WellChild or a step, however tentative, towards reconciliation with the Royal Family remains to be seen.
