Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved back to the UK in late August, and the Duke of Sussex’s first “public engagements” have now been announced
Prince Harry’s first “public engagements” after he moved back to the UK with Meghan Markle and their children have been revealed.
The Duke of Sussex is due to front a series of charity events throughout the month. The announcement is expected to be viewed as Harry launching his plans for his fresh start in Britain, amid what has been perceived as friction between the Sussex circle and the Buckingham Palace.
Harry and Meghan were reportedly “surprised” by the official correspondence dispatched by the Lord Chamberlain on the King’s instruction to senior Government and military figures, which designated them as “private citizens”. The Duke and Duchess, who are awaiting confirmation on whether they will receive taxpayer-funded protection, are understood to favour the description “public figures” instead.
Complete information regarding Harry’s appearances, including specific dates, has not yet been released. The occasions were characterised by his representatives as his “September public engagements”.
His schedule will feature the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards, honouring individuals, organisations, and communities who “embody the resilience, service, and unconquered spirit at the heart of the international Invictus Movement”. During the INSPIRE programme launch, Harry will participate in pickleball with schoolchildren and join an assembly.
Created by educators for students ranging from early years right through to Key Stage 5, the initiative utilises the Invictus Games alongside competitors’ personal journeys to deliver national curriculum-aligned resources in maths, English, Stem, art, performing arts, sport and PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) education.
Harry has served as patron of WellChild – the national charity supporting seriously ill children and their families – since 2007, and is a regular presence at its awards ceremony. The appearance is characterised as “continuing his long association with WellChild as the charity’s patron”, with the awards, which he has now attended 15 times, forming a “significant part of his annual programme”.
He will spend time with this year’s award recipients alongside their families, carers and medical professionals to learn about their journeys in supporting children facing serious and complex health challenges.
The Sussexes are reported to be “happy to be back” in the UK, and getting Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet settled at school “remains their focus”. A source close to Harry and Meghan informed US magazine People: “Everything else will fall into place when the time is right”.
They continued: “There is a lot to do. They have just moved halfway across the world and it’s been really busy getting the kids settled. Their focus has been on that, and will remain on that, for the time being. They are happy to be back.”
A source close to the Sussexes attributed Uganda’s decision to withdraw from the Duke’s 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham to the Lord Chamberlain’s letter. Team Sussex, given approximately an hour’s notice before the letter’s release on Monday, had insufficient time to address any of the points raised.
Uganda’s military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba stated the country had pulled out of the sporting competition due to “that Harry-Meghan nonsense”, adding that it would “not participate in anything” lacking the King’s “approval”.
A Sussex source told ITV News: “Intended or unintended, this is clearly a consequence of the Lord Chamberlain’s guidance regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that was rushed out without consultation on Monday. Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors.”
Meanwhile, a new YouGov poll revealed that just 16 per cent of Britons would welcome the Sussexes returning as working members of the Royal Family, while 51 per cent would prefer they did not. Some 33 per cent remain undecided.
Harry’s engagements were announced on Thursday evening – the same day the Prince and Princess of Wales undertook a significant visit to Liverpool, where William launched a suicide prevention toolkit for the sports sector. Kate made an unexpected appearance at Everton Football Club alongside William, demonstrating support for the major On Your Side campaign.
Harry and Meghan withdrew from royal duties six years ago seeking personal and financial independence in the United States. A fortnight ago, they returned to Britain, enrolling their children Archie and Lili in schools here, with speculation suggesting Meghan may resume her acting career.
In January 2020, the Duke and Duchess had revealed their plans to withdraw as “senior” royals, pursue financial independence, continue supporting Queen Elizabeth II, while dividing their time between Britain and North America.
However, the late Queen determined at the Sandringham Summit, which was called to address the Megxit situation, that the pair could not maintain a partial royal role – with the King recently confirming the arrangement remains unchanged.
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