Prince Harry Is Returning to the U.K. for the First Time in Months on an Especially Poignant Date

Could this signal a meetup with King Charles and other members of the royal family?

The Gist

• Prince Harry is set to return to the U.K. on September 8 for the WellChild Awards, an organization he has been patron of for 17 years.
• September 8 also happens to be a poignant date—the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death at 96 years old in 2022.
• There remains hope that Harry and King Charles could reconcile after aides for both men met up in London over the summer.

Prince Harry will return to the U.K. on an especially poignant date—the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death on September 8, 2022.

Just last month, two of the Duke of Sussex’s aides met with an aide of his father, King Charles, so could Harry being in the U.K. on the third anniversary of the Queen’s passing signal him taking part in some type of event honoring the occasion alongside other members of the royal family? That part, as least as of yet, remains unknown. What is known, though, is that Harry will be in his home country for the WellChild Awards, a charity he has been patron of for 17 years.

This will mark the first time that Harry has returned to the U.K. since April, when he was in London to appeal a High Court ruling regarding his security arrangements in the U.K. After that ruling was handed down, Harry gave an emotionally-charged interview to the BBC on May 2 where he said that he would “love a reconciliation” with the royal family.

At the WellChild Awards, the Duke of Sussex will present an award and will deliver a speech. “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,” Harry said in a statement, per Hello!.

“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,” he continued. “Their stories remind us of the power of compassion, connection, and community.”

Harry hasn’t seen his father the King in nearly 19 months, ever since the Duke of Sussex flew to the U.K. from California soon after Charles announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. On July 9, Meredith Maines, Harry’s chief of staff and communications director, and Liam Maguire, Harry’s U.K. spokesperson, met up with Tobyn Andreae, the King’s communications secretary, at the private, members-only Royal Over-Seas League in London, The Mail on Sunday reported.

People reported that insiders see the low-key meeting as a crucial “first step” towards reconciliation between father and son, with one source telling the outlet, “It was a good first step. It is always better to be talking.”

“It’s a positive step,” the insider added. “There’s optimism that it can be taken forward.”