Prince Harry is making his return to the U.K. on September 8 — the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death — to attend the WellChild Awards.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, will be in London for the 20th annual ceremony, which honors the achievements of seriously ill children and their caregivers. The national charity confirmed his attendance on August 28, posting on X, “Prince Harry will be celebrating 20 years of the WellChild Awards in London. The event, in association with @GSK, honors the inspirational achievements of seriously ill children and the people who care for them.”
Harry, who has been a WellChild patron for 17 years, also shared his own message ahead of the event. “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,” he said. “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 who support them every step of the way.”
This year’s ceremony will take place on the same date Queen Elizabeth died in 2022 at age 96, adding extra poignancy to Harry’s appearance. He is expected to deliver a speech during the evening, continuing his longstanding support of the charity’s work.
The trip will also be notable for another reason, as it marks Harry’s first visit across the pond since losing his appeal for government-funded security in April. The duke has been fighting to reinstate protection in the U.K. ever since he and wife Meghan Markle stepped away from royal duties in 2020. Since then, their security arrangements have been determined on a case-by-case basis.
Just days after his legal defeat, Harry reignited tensions within the royal family during a BBC interview. He alleged that King Charles III played a role in the court’s ruling. “There is a lot of control and ability in my father’s hands,” he said at the time. “Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him. Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts [to] do what is necessary.”
Harry also expressed a desire to mend his fractured relationship with his father, revealing they no longer speak. “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” he said, referencing Charles’ cancer diagnosis. “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has.”
