Prince Harry made his first public appearance in the UK since returning to his home country last month.
The Duke of Sussex, 42, flew solo at the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards in London on Thursday, September 7, as his wife, Meghan Marklewas not present.
The first annual dinner honored community spirit as well as the injured athletes who take part in the sports competition that Prince Harry co-founded in 2014.
A Press release described the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards as an opportunity “to come together to recognize the people whose courage, commitment and contributions have made a lasting difference to the Invictus movement, and to celebrate the stories of resilience and commitment that continue to inspire and support our international Invictus community.”
Prince Harry arrives at the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, southeast London, on September 17, 2026.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty ImagesThe next edition of the Invictus Games will take place in July 2027 in Birmingham, England.
In August, it was revealed that the Sussexes were planning to relocate their family to the UK for an extended period of time from Montecito, California, where they have lived since 2020. They officially arrived in England on August 26th.
The couple’s unexpected decision to move led to this Lord Chamberlaina senior official in the royal household to write a letter on his behalf King Charles III It makes clear that Prince Harry and Meghan, 45, will not resume royal duties. (The Sussexes stepped down as senior working royals in 2020.)
“The Duke and Duchess’s charitable work is a personal matter for both of them and is carried out in their private capacities,” the letter said. “In short, their position is similar to that of private individuals with commercial and nonprofit interests.”
Lord Chamberlain further clarified: “It is understood that in January 2020, the Duke and Duchess stepped back from assuming representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign and are no longer working members of the Royal Family. This position will continue to be fully respected, in contrast to the state and royal duties of the working Royal Family, and with the personal freedom it offers the couple in terms of financial independence and the protection of their privacy as they wish.”
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan has since confirmed that they have removed their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, from their original school of choice, citing safety concerns.
“The decision to move the children to school was made following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practical aspects of their current arrangements,” a representative for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said Hello! on Monday, September 14th. “The parents remain extremely grateful to all teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family. This decision should in no way be interpreted as disrespect for the school or the exceptional care the children received there.”
Harry has more public engagements on his calendar in the coming weeks, including attending and speaking at the WellChild Awards in London on September 21. (The prince has been a patron of the charity since 2007.)
