Prince Harry made his first public appearance in the U.K. since returning to his home country last month.
The Duke of Sussex, 42, was flying solo at the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards in London on Thursday, September 7, as his wife, Meghan Markle, was not present.
The first annual dinner honored community spirit as well as the wounded athletes who compete in the sports competition that Prince Harry cofounded 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 contribution have made a lasting difference to the Invictus Movement, celebrating the stories of resilience and dedication that continue to inspire and support our international Invictus Community.”
The next edition of the Invictus Games will be held in Birmingham, England, in July 2027.
News broke in August that the Sussexes were planning to move their family from Montecito, California — where they resided since 2020 — to the U.K. for an extended period. They officially arrived in England on August 26.
The couple’s unexpected decision to relocate led Lord Chamberlain, a senior officer of the royal household, to pen a letter on behalf of King Charles III clarifying that Prince Harry and Meghan, 45, are not resuming any royal duties. (The Sussexes stepped down as senior working royals in 2020.)
“The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity,” the letter read. “In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
Lord Chamberlain went on to clarify, “It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of The Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of The Royal Family. This position, distinct from the State and Royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.”
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan has since confirmed that they removed their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, from their original school of choice, citing security concerns.
“The decision for the children to move school was taken following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements,” a representative for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told Hello! on Monday, September 14. “The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family. This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have 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 the charity’s patron since 2007.)
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