Prince Harry will arrive in the UK today for a charity awards ceremony, his first visit to the country in three months.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is not anticipated to attend the WellChild event in London on Thursday (September 7).
Harry will be in London on the eve of the first anniversary of his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, death.
Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom’s longest-reigned monarch, died quietly in Balmoral in Scotland last September at the age of 96, after reigning for 70 years.
“For nearly 20 years, WellChild has been transforming the lives of children and young people across the UK, providing critical care that prioritizes the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of these individuals and their families,” Harry said ahead of the ceremony.
Harry has been a patron of WellChild for 15 years and routinely attends its annual awards ceremony, although Meghan, who has been a guest at previous events, is not expected to join him.
The 2022 WellChild Awards was held on the day the Queen died, with the Duke and Duchess opting out because Harry needed to be with other members of the Royal Family.
The WellChild awards ceremony takes place just a few days before Harry’s Invictus Games sports tournament for wounded military individuals and veterans.
The games will take place over eight days, beginning on September 9 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Meghan is planning to accompany her husband, although her name has been removed from the games’ program.
The Duchess had been scheduled to emcee a segment during the closing ceremony, but she has been replaced by Hadnet Tesfai, a German TV presenter and games host.
According to a royal insider, neither King Charles nor Prince William will meet Harry during his visit.
Charles apparently does not have time in his schedule to meet his younger son, and his brother William is said to have not been in contact with the Duke of Sussex for months.
The King and Queen Camilla are scheduled to observe the first anniversary of Elizabeth II’s death at their Balmoral castle in seclusion.
In their first journey since their summer break, William and Kate, Princess of Wales, will lead homage to the late Queen at St David’s Cathedral in St David’s, Pembrokeshire.
Harry will spend time with the winners and their families at a pre-ceremony reception before presenting the award for Inspirational Child (aged four to six) and delivering a speech at the WellChild awards ceremony.
“The number of children and young people in the UK living with long-term, complex medical needs is growing,” said Matt James, Chief Executive of WellChild.
“The WellChild Awards 2023, in association with GSK, will be a unique opportunity to shine a light on the immense challenges they face and to celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit.
“It will also provide an opportunity to recognize the selfless dedication of those around them, from siblings and parent carers to the professionals who have gone above and beyond to give them the very best chance to thrive.”
