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 patron of the charity.
The national charity for seriously ill children is one of the few UK-based organisations with which the prince maintained links after his acrimonious exit from royal duties and move to the US.
He chose to remain in the role, which he has held for 16 years, when his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, asked him to give up his other royal patronages as he was no longer a working member of the family.
Prince Harry and Meghan seen during their visit to Colombia on August 15
Last September she attended the WellChild Awards at the Hurlingham Club in London (above), having missed the previous year because it coincided with the day the Queen died.
The Royal Family’s official Twitter account, X, posted a birthday greeting for 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 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 to the country 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 could travel to the UK to attend the awards, after both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace decided to wish him a happy 40th birthday on their social media channels.
Since the King currently resides in Scotland but returns to London periodically for his cancer treatment, this could provide an opportunity for father and son to meet privately.
However, the King has a major engagement in Scotland just two days before Harry’s, when he and Queen Camilla will visit the Scottish Parliament to mark their 25th anniversary.
This suggests that she may well remain north of the border while her son is in the country.
They last saw each other in February, when it was announced that the King had cancer and the prince flew in from the United States to see him briefly.
However, when he returned in May, the King was too busy to meet him, although Her Majesty offered him alternative accommodation at one of the royal properties, contrary to what was reported. Harry opted to stay in a hotel.
Recently, sources close to the Sussexes have made it clear that the prince is interested in finding 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 its decision to remove his full-time security detail when he resigned is a sticking point.
Trust has also been at a low point following Harry’s score-settling memoirs and regular leaks from within his own camp about private conversations with family members, in particular the King.
The Duke of Sussex has been a patron of the charity for 16 years. Pictured at the WellChild Awards 2023
The WellChild Awards have always been a highlight of Prince Harry’s calendar when he was a working royal and celebrate the inspiring qualities of children and young people living with serious illnesses or complex medical needs, as well as honouring the dedication of family and carers.
In its announcement, WellChild said Harry had provided “invaluable help” in raising awareness and making financial contributions over the years.
She 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 will present the Inspirational Child Award (ages 4-6) and give a speech.
In a statement, she said: “I am honoured to be back at this year’s WellChild Awards, which celebrate the extraordinary courage and achievements of children living with complex medical needs. These incredible young people, along with the dedicated carers, nurses and professionals who tirelessly support them, inspire us all. It is a real privilege to recognise such extraordinary individuals.”
Matt James, Chief Executive of WellChild, said: ‘Across the UK, increasing numbers of children and young people are living with complex, long-term medical needs.
Confidence has also plummeted following Harry’s score-settling memoir.
Together with their families, they face extraordinary challenges every day. Through the WellChild Awards 2024, in partnership with GSK, we aim to highlight the immense difficulties they face and celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit.
‘This event also provides an opportunity to honour the selfless dedication of those who support them, whether siblings, caring parents or professionals who have gone above and beyond to give these children the best possible chance to thrive.’
This 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 royals last shared a public greeting for Harry’s birthday in 2021, suggesting relations have improved in recent months.
The Royal Family’s official X account, formerly Twitter, posted birthday wishes for Prince Harry at around 8:30am UK time, and William and Kate’s official account shared a similar greeting mid-morning.
While tensions remain between William and Harry, it is unclear whether Prince William will make a public gesture to acknowledge his brother’s milestone birthday.
The surprise greeting could be seen as an olive branch that could help smooth relations between the warring brothers.
Earlier, the King and Queen’s simple message, punctuated by a birthday cake emoji, read: “Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!”