Prince Harry due in London today for WellChild awards in latest solo UK visit without Meghan – but will there be time to see William or Charles?
Prince Harry is due to be in London today for his final solo visit to Britain without his wife Meghan Markle, amid speculation over whether he could meet his father King Charles or brother Prince William.
The Duke of Sussex is expected to attend the WellChild awards ceremony in the capital, to help celebrate the achievements and resilience of seriously ill young people and their families.
Harry, who has been the charity’s patron for the past 15 years, arrives across the Atlantic following a series of high-profile speeches at events in New York last week.
But it has so far remained unconfirmed whether he might make contact with his brother William or travel to Scotland, where his father Charles currently resides.
Reports suggested the royal siblings were unlikely to make contact as the pair are said to have not spoken while attending a family funeral in Britain last month.
Prince Harry will present an award and speak at the WellChild Charity Awards in London
The Duke of Sussex is seen here with Christopher Anderson, who nominated Caroline Anderson for Best Nurse, at the WellChild Childrens’ Health Awards ceremony at Lord’s Cricket Ground in North West London in October 2007.
There have been questions about whether Prince Harry (left) would catch up with his father King Charles (centre) or brother Prince William (right) while in Britain – they are seen here together outside Lancaster House in central London in February 2014
This visit to Britain is Harry’s last trip without his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, who is at their home in Montecito, California – she is pictured here in March 2024 in Austin, Texas
The King is believed to be spending time at his Balmoral home and is believed not to have seen Harry since the Duke rushed to his father’s side after Charles’ cancer diagnosis was announced in February.
The WellChild Awards recognize the inspiring qualities of some of the country’s seriously ill young people and the dedication of those who keep them healthy and happy, including health, social care and education professionals.
Harry regularly attends the annual event organized by WellChild, the national charity that provides a nationwide network of nurses, home makeover projects and family support programs.
Ahead of the big event, the Duke will attend a reception to meet the category winners and their families, before joining guests for the private awards ceremony.
He will present the prize for the most inspiring child (four to six years old) and give a short speech.
Last week in New York, Harry showed off his language skills by speaking Sesotho as he revealed how climate change makes him ‘terrified’ of his children Archie and Lilibet.
He also branded tourism a “double-edged sword” that can harm communities as he continued his recent string of solo performances while wife Meghan stayed home.
The Duke of Sussex spoke about his concerns about the potential damaging impact of both climate change and social media on young people, including five-year-old Archie and three-year-old Lilibet.
His latest appearances included events in New York showcasing two of his initiatives: one to support the southern African country of Lesotho and another to promote his sustainable tourism charity.
Speaking alongside members of Lesotho’s royal family at the United Nations headquarters, Harry told how the name of his charity Sentebale came from the country’s Sesotho language, which means ‘Forget me not’.
He had begun by saying in English: “Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and friends” – and then repeating the greeting in Sesotho: “Morena, basali le bahlomphehi, baeti ba hlomphehang le metsoalle.”
He recalled visiting Lesotho for the first time during a gap year in 2024 between leaving Eton and starting at Sandhurst Military Academy, as he spoke to fellow delegates including King Letsie III and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso.
Harry, 40, said: “The Royal Family of Lesotho, as well as Lesotho itself, have been a pillar of strength for me over the past twenty years and have welcomed me with open arms and so much kindness.
‘The beautiful mountain kingdom feels like a home away from home.
“That friendship has only grown stronger as we have worked together to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing the Lesotho people and the rest of the world.”
Harry said he helped set up Sentebale two years after his first visit, adding: “The charity was founded in honor of our mothers and symbolizes our promise to always remember and advocate for the most vulnerable among us.
‘Our mission at Sentebale is simple but incredibly important: to help vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana access essential healthcare services, receive care and support, and develop the life skills needed to thrive.
“By focusing on youth, we break generational cycles of trauma and outdated beliefs.”
It has since been revealed that the Duke of Sussex will make his first trip in more than six years to the African country, where he set up his first major charity project.
Harry will travel to Lesotho early next month for a meeting of business leaders, philanthropists and local stakeholders, aimed at advancing Sentebale’s work and supporting the digital and economic inclusion of the next generation.
Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso, who co-founded Sentebale with Harry almost two decades ago, said it would fill the community with “joy” to welcome back Mohale – Harry’s affectionate royal name Sesotho, which means “warrior”.
And the Duke said: ‘As we approach our 20th anniversary, our ambition has grown, giving us the confidence to bring our skills and experience in designing solutions with young people, and to use our strengths to collaborate with leading regional and global players. funders so that we can add Sentebale’s voice to addressing the challenges facing the next generation in Southern Africa.”
Harry was first invited to the country, landlocked in South Africa, by Seeiso, a friend of his mentor, ex-army officer Mark Dyer.
Founded in 2006, Sentebale began working in Leosotho before expanding to Botswana, and is active in four key areas: strengthening the social and emotional well-being of people living with or affected by HIV; help provide access to health care and social services; promoting youth advocacy; and building the skills and livelihoods of individuals.
The duke regularly visits the mountainous country to promote his organisation’s work, but last traveled to the capital Maseru in 2018, the year he married Meghan.
Harry and Seeiso will visit Lesotho to showcase Sentebale’s work to new supporters, in addition to existing donors through American Friends of Sentebale, with the princes also meeting local leaders and youth activists.
In Johannesburg, the group will participate in a reception with South Africa-based stakeholders and strategic partner Lebec, a women-led financial and philanthropy firm, and participate in a panel discussion on philanthropists creating change beyond writing checks.
Sentebale President Dr Sophie Chandauka said: “Africa has the largest and fastest growing youth population, and by 2050, almost 40 percent of the world’s youth will live on the continent, with southern Africa home to a significant proportion.
“More than 50 percent of these young people are at risk of remaining economically vulnerable without urgent investment in digital skills, education and job creation.
“The Duke’s return to southern Africa, together with our new American friends, marks a milestone in working with world-class organizations and local leadership to engage this critical youth cohort.
“Together, we aim to accelerate digital and economic inclusion, addressing low levels of access and literacy, which are crucial for youth participation in the global economy and for achieving Sentebale’s health goals , wealth creation and climate resilience.’