Prince Harry heads to airport to leave the UK before Nigeria tour with Meghan
Prince Harry has been photographed at the airport as he flies from Britain ahead of his Nigeria tour with Meghan Markle.
The Duke of Sussex was spotted arriving at the Windsor suite at Heathrow Airport after visiting St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The estranged royal has been in London since Tuesday to attend various events related to the competition.
Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will now begin their trip to Nigeria tomorrow, where they will visit the country’s military headquarters and promote the Invictus Games.
They will arrive the morning before their first engagement. Officials in Nigeria said the couple’s trip will be “private” and last until Monday, including a visit to Lagos.
Prince Harry was seen arriving at the Windsor suite at Heathrow Airport as he left Britain
Prince Harry and Meghan, pictured in South Africa in 2019, will visit Nigeria this week
Harry imagined himself playing games with grieving military children while making a surprise visit to a charity event
The 39-year-old spent the afternoon with 50 children and youth who have experienced the death of a military parent
He took part in competitions and spoke to the young people as part of the fun event organized in London by Scotty’s Little Soldiers
Earlier today, Harry chatted and played with grieving military children as he made a surprise visit to a charity event.
The 39-year-old spent the afternoon with 50 children and young people, aged between six and 22, who have experienced the death of a military parent.
He took part in games – including one where the Duke used a straw to transport Smarties as quickly as possible – and spoke to the youngsters as part of the fun event organized in London by Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
Harry also spoke to nine members of Scotty’s Council, a group of young people representing the charity’s other members, who discussed their experiences of growing up without parents.
The Duke completed two tours of Afghanistan between 2007 and 2013 as a forward air controller and Apache helicopter pilot, after flying numerous training missions in Britain, the US and Australia.
He said: “It was an honor to meet so many of the wonderful families that Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports.
‘I have long believed in the mission of this charity, and I truly believe that the work they do to foster community and create space for young people to connect, grieve, but also have fun together is life-changing is.
“I am a strong supporter of their work and am very proud to be their first global ambassador.”
The charity – for which he became a global ambassador in November – was one of seven nominated by Harry and Meghan to benefit from donations to mark the couple’s 2018 wedding ceremony.
The Prince said: ‘It was an honor to meet so many of the wonderful families that Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports’
Harry also spent time talking to nine members of Scotty’s Council
Prince Harry put on a brave face yesterday as he left St Paul’s Cathedral alone after a service celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games
The estranged royal, who was greeted with cheers from the crowd, beamed as he shook hands and joked with dozens of people who lined up to greet him.
The Duke joked with an enthusiastic royal fan who had her arms outstretched with two phones to try to get the best photo of Harry
Harry arrives at St Paul’s Cathedral for a service to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games
The Duke of Sussex remains estranged from many family members following a series of attacks on the royal family in recent years
Prince Harry speaks to guests and members of the clergy as he arrives for the event at St Paul’s to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games
King Charles III during a visit to Gibraltar Barracks in Minley, Hampshire, this afternoon
Harry has been involved with the charity since 2017 and recorded a special video message for the children’s Christmas party dressed as Spider-Man in 2022.
Georgia Paterson, 16, said it was “amazing” to talk to the duke about the experience of losing a parent while growing up.
She said: ‘Prince Harry was the best person to share that experience with because he lived it and understands it better than anyone.
“It was really moving to see how vulnerable he was with us, which prompted us to open up as well.”
Georgia added: “It felt really connected because when your parents served, they served for the country, and one of the most important things for the country is the royal family.
‘Talking to someone who is part of that made me feel more connected to my father. It was great to be connected to him at that moment.”
Nikki Scott, who founded the charity in 2010 after her husband’s death while on tour in Afghanistan, said: ‘It was wonderful to see all the smiles in the room when Prince Harry came through the door.
“The Duke of Sussex has been a long-time supporter of Scotty’s, which means a lot to our members, knowing he understands what it’s like to experience the death of a parent and the challenges they face.
‘It is important for our members to maintain their connection with the military community, which Prince Harry is also passionate about.
“Events like this are so valuable to our members because it allows them to build friendships with others who are in a similar situation and have a lot of fun.”
Scotty’s Little Soldiers currently supports more than 670 bereaved military children and youth up to age 25 through individual bereavement support, guidance for parents and caregivers, fun activities such as vacations and group events, and assistance with learning.