Prince Harry told reporters it’s “great” to be back in the UK while attending a children’s charity event, hours before Meghan joined him as the couple traveled to Nigeria for a three-year tour. days.
Speaking yesterday while visiting London for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity for bereaved military children, BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph asked Harry: “It’s good to have you back.” How do you feel here?
The Duke of Sussex, 39, responded that it was “great” to be back, although he has not been able to see his father, King Charles, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts.
This comes as Harry prepares to fly to Nigeria for a three-day trip at the invitation of the country’s chief of defense staff.
Meghan will fly to the West African nation from California, where she stayed with the couple’s two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was photographed chatting and playing with heartbroken military children while making an unexpected visit to Scotty’s Little Soldiers in London.
Harry looked in high spirits as he posed for selfies with people at the event.
Harry and Meghan will arrive in Nigeria later today, having been invited by the country’s chief of defense staff.
During the unexpected visit to Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports children who have suffered the death of a military parent, Harry played games with the children and said it was an “honour” to meet the affected families.
Speaking to the BBC, he was asked if it is nice to be back in the UK.
Harry said: ‘It’s great. Just when the lights went out, perfect timing. It’s great, it’s amazing.
‘What Scotty is doing with these children is absolutely incredible and also very necessary. And the more opportunities we have to do these types of events, the more families and kids across the country will know that Scotty’s exists, which is really the most important thing.”
Mrs Relph asked him: “How many Maltesers did you eat off the floor?”
Harry replied, ‘Er, you guys probably know better than me, but at least three.’ I think at that point it started to get a little weird.
As he walked away, Mrs Relph said: “And is it nice to be back in the UK?” And Harry said, ‘Yeah, that’s great. I’m glad to see you.’
Around 50 children and young people aged between six and 22 were at the charity during their visit.
The Duke 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 truly believe that the work they do to foster community and create spaces for young people to connect, grieve and also have fun together is life-changing.
“I am a huge supporter of their work and am very proud to be their first global ambassador.”
Prince Harry was seen arriving at Heathrow on Friday morning ahead of his flight to Nigeria, where he will be joined by his wife Meghan.
Harry was pictured enjoying games with children and young people from the charity on an unofficial visit.
At one point, the Duke was seen using a straw to transport Smarties as quickly as possible during a task.
A video showed the Prince having fun with children and young people who suffered the death of a service father.
The prince traveled to the UK to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which he founded to allow injured servicemen and women to compete in sporting events against others from around the world.
While in Nigeria, Harry and Meghan will visit a school and meet wounded service members at a military hospital.
They will also visit the charity Nigeria: Unconquered, which supports the Invictus Games, and attend a training session and polo fundraiser.
The Duchess of Sussex will also co-host a Women in Leadership event with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
It is the couple’s first trip to Africa since 2019, when they visited South Africa, Malawi, Angola and Botswana on what would become their final tour as working members of the royal family. They will arrive in Nigeria later today.
During his trip home, Harry did not meet the King or his brother, Prince William. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Sussexes said this was due to his father’s “full schedule.”
Yesterday, King Charles, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, met military personnel and their families at a training base for the Royal Army Engineers in Surrey.
Queen Camilla was busy hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the 90th anniversary of Brooke, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules.
The former royal was photographed listening to children and young adults talk about their experiences.
The Duke laughs at one of the girls who tries to remove a piece of chocolate from her face
King Charles III during a visit to Gibraltar Barracks in Minley, Hampshire, on Thursday while his son Prince Harry remained in London.
Queen Camilla was pictured speaking to Angela Rippon (right) as she hosted a reception to mark the 90th anniversary of animal charity Brooke.
Harry’s brother, Prince William, was in Cornwall on Thursday, meeting locals and visiting land he hopes to turn into housing to help the homeless.
The Prince of Wales, whose relationship with his brother appears increasingly strained, traveled to Cornwall where he visited a site he hopes will help tackle the homelessness crisis.
William, who took over the £1.2bn Duchy of Cornwall estate when his father became King and Prince of Wales, is in the process of building his first housing project to help address the situation. the homeless in Nansledan.
Both he and King Charles have recently returned to official duties after a series of health scares for the royals, after Charles and Kate, Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer.
Harry’s spokesman said yesterday: “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation about whether or not the Duke will meet his father while in the UK this week, unfortunately it will not be possible due to Her Majesty’s full schedule.”
“The Duke, of course, understands his father’s diary of engagements and other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”