Prince Harry is due in London today in his latest solo visit to Britain without his wife Meghan Markle, amid speculation over whether he might meet his father King Charles or brother Prince William.
The Duke of Sussex is scheduled to attend the WellChild awards ceremony in the capital, to help celebrate the achievements and resilience of seriously ill youngsters and their families.
Harry, who has been patron of the charity for the past 15 years, arrives across the Atlantic after several high-profile speeches at events in New York last week.
But it has so far remained unconfirmed whether he might connect with his brother William or travel to Scotland where his father Charles is currently staying.
Reports suggested it was unlikely the royal siblings would make contact as the pair are not thought to have talked when attending a family funeral in the UK last month.
The King is believed to be spending time at his Balmoral home and it is believed he has not seen Harry since the duke rushed to his father’s side after Charles’s cancer diagnosis was announced in February.
The WellChild awards celebrate the inspiring qualities of some of the country’s seriously ill young people and the dedication of those who keep them healthy and happy, including health, social care and education professionals.
Harry regularly attends the annual event hosted by WellChild, the national charity which provides a nationwide network of nurses, home makeover projects and family support programmes.
Before the big event the duke will attend a reception to meet the category winners and their families before joining guests for the private awards ceremony.
He is due to present the Most Inspirational Child (aged four to six) prize and deliver a short speech.
Last week in New York Harry showed off his language skills by speaking Sesotho, while revealing how climate change leaves him ‘terrified’ for his children Archie and Lilibet.
He also branded tourism a ‘double-edged sword’ which can harm communities as he continued his recent blitz of solo appearances while wife Meghan remained at home.
The Duke of Sussex spoke of his concerns about the potential harmful impact of both climate change and social media on youngsters including Archie, five, and three-year-old Lilibet.
His latest appearances included events in New York showcasing two of his initiatives, one supporting the southern African country of Lesotho and another promoting his sustainable tourism charity.
Speaking alongside members of Lesotho’s royal family at the United Nations HQ, Harry told how his charity Sentebale’s name came from the country’s Sesotho language – meaning ‘Forget me not’.
He had begun by saying in English, ‘Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and friends’ – and then repeating the greeting in Sesotho: ‘Morena, basali le bahlomphehi, baeti ba hlomphehang le metsoalle.’
He recalled first visiting Lesotho during a gap year in 2024 between leaving Eton and starting at Sandhurst military academy, as he spoke alongside fellow delegates including the country’s King Letsie III and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso.
Harry, 40, said: ‘The Lesotho royal family, as well as Lesotho itself, has been a pillar of strength for me over the last 20 years, welcoming me with open arms and such kindness.
‘The beautiful mountain kingdom feels like a home away from home.
‘That friendship has only grown stronger as we’ve worked together to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing the Lesotho people and the wider world.’
Harry told of helping to set up Sentebale two years after his first visit, adding: ‘The charity was founded in honour of our mothers and symbolises our pledge to always remember and advocate for the most vulnerable among us.
‘Our mission at Sentebale is simple yet incredibly important – to help vulnerable children and young people across Lesotho and Botswana to access vital health services, receive care and support, and develop the life skills necessary to thrive.
‘By focusing on the youth we’re breaking generational cycles of trauma and outdated beliefs.’
It has since been revealed the Duke of Sussex will make his first trip in more than six years to the African nation where he established his first major charitable project.
Harry will travel to Lesotho early next month for a gathering of business leaders, philanthropists and local stakeholders, aimed at driving forward Sentebale’s work, supporting the digital and economic inclusion of the next generation.
Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso, who co-founded Sentebale with Harry almost 20 years ago, said it would fill the community with ‘joy’ to welcome back Mohale – Harry’s affectionate Sesotho royal name which means ‘warrior’.
And the duke said: ‘As we head towards our 20th anniversary, our ambition has grown, giving us the confidence to bring our skills and experience in designing solutions with young people, and to leveraging our convening power to engage with leading regional players and global funders so we can add Sentebale’s voice to addressing the challenges faced by the next generation in southern Africa.’
Harry was first invited to the country, land-locked inside South Africa, by Seeiso, a friend of the his mentor, ex-Army officer Mark Dyer.
Founded in 2006, Sentebale began working in Leosotho before expanding into Botswana, and operates in four key areas: strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of those living with or affected by HIV; helping to provide access to health and social services; driving youth advocacy; and building individuals’ skills and livelihoods.
The duke regularly visited the mountainous nation to promote his organisation’s work but last travelled to the capital Maseru in 2018, the year he married Meghan.
Harry and Seeiso will visit Lesotho to showcase Sentebale’s work to new supporters alongside existing donors through American Friends of Sentebale, with the princes also meeting local leaders and youth advocates.
In Johannesburg the group will take part in a reception with South Africa-based stakeholders and strategic partner Lebec, a women-led finance and philanthropy firm, and take part in a panel discussion about philanthropists creating change beyond writing cheques.
Sentebale chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka said: ‘Africa has the largest and fastest-growing youth population, and by 2050, nearly 40 per cent of the world’s youth will reside on the continent, with southern Africa home to a significant portion.
‘Over 50 per cent of these young people are at risk of remaining economically vulnerable without urgent investment in digital skills, education and job creation.
‘The duke’s return to southern Africa, alongside our new American friends, marks a milestone as we collaborate with world-class organisations and local leadership to engage this critical youth cohort.
‘Together, we aim to accelerate digital and economic inclusion, addressing the low levels of access and literacy, which are crucial for young people’s participation in the global economy and for achieving Sentebale’s goals in health, wealth creation and climate resilience.’