Prince Harry is trying his best to make the most of his latest trip back home to the U.K.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, stepped out on Monday, September 8, to celebrate 20 years of the WellChild Awards in London.
Harry was all smiles as he arrived at the Royal Lancaster Hotel to celebrate the inspirational qualities of children and young people battling illness in the U.K., along with those who go that extra mile to make a difference to their lives.
“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 on August 27. “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.”
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Harry has been a patron of WellChild for 17 years and tries his best to attend the charity’s awards ceremony every year. He is expected to deliver a speech during Monday’s ceremony.
“It gives everyone such a lift. Particularly the families and the winners who have faced unbelievable challenges and difficulties and overcome those odds often behind closed doors,” WellChild executive Matt James told People ahead of the ceremony while reflecting on Harry’s impact. “For them, meeting the Duke and being honored today is an opportunity for them to get recognition for that and also, importantly, to give them an evening they won’t forget. It’s an evening of such positivity and the Duke really adds to that. He just lifts the whole occasion — particularly for the importing children and young people we see tonight.”
Before attending the WellChild Awards, Harry reportedly headed to St George’s Chapel to visit Queen Elizabeth II’s grave.
Us Weekly understands that Harry laid a wreath and flowers on Elizabeth’s grave to pay his respects on the third anniversary of her death. (She died on September 8, 2022, at age 96.)
Monday marks the beginning of Harry’s four-day trip back to the U.K. While much of his itinerary remains private for security reasons, royal watchers are curious to see if the trip will present an opportunity for Harry to reunite with his father, King Charles III.
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Rumors of a face-to-face meeting between Harry and Charles, 76, have been swirling for months.
“This meetup is make-or-break,” a royal source exclusively told Us in a recent cover story. “If it goes well, it could lead to other family members being open to better relationships. If things get leaked negatively, then it’s done, and there’s no chance [for peace].”
Neither Harry nor Charles’ teams have confirmed a meeting.
