Prince Harry is back in the UK this week, kicking off his visit with an evening at the WellChild Awards in London, a charity event celebrating children living with serious health challenges.
The Duke of Sussex flew in from California on Monday morning and made a private stop at Windsor, where he laid a wreath at the chapel where his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, is buried. The moment marked three years since her passing.
Later that evening, Harry joined young award winners and their families at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. He joked with the children, even joining in on a balloon swordfight, and asked one boy if his sibling ever “drives him mad,” adding with a smile, “You know what siblings are like.”
In a heartfelt speech, Harry praised the young people and their families, calling them an inspiration:
“Your courage, your resilience, and the extraordinary love of the families and carers who never stop showing up. The world has thrown a fair few challenges our way, but these awards remain a highlight every single year.”
Among the children honoured was six-year-old Esmée McGlinchey from Stoke-on-Trent, who has already undergone 35 surgeries and faces daily medical struggles.
This trip has sparked speculation about whether Harry will reunite with his father, King Charles, who has been battling cancer. The two have not met in person since February. Meghan and the couple’s children have stayed home in California.
Harry’s UK schedule continues this week. On Tuesday, he’ll travel to Nottingham to announce a major donation to a Children in Need project, and on Wednesday he’ll visit the Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London.
Meanwhile, the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death was also marked by the Prince and Princess of Wales. William and Catherine spent the day in Berkshire, meeting members of the Women’s Institute, an organisation the late Queen supported for over 80 years.
Over tea and cake, William reflected on his grandmother’s legacy: “I can’t quite believe it’s three years already. She often spoke about the WI and what it meant to her.”
He also shared memories of her love of horse racing, noting with a grin that she always wished for “a few more winners.”
Both Harry and William, though on separate paths, spent the day honouring their grandmother’s memory—Harry through private reflection, and William and Catherine by carrying on her tradition of connecting with communities face to face. Photo by DoD News Features, Wikimedia commons.
