Prince Harry confirms his return date to Britain without Meghan, and there could be a reunion with King Charles

Prince Harry is preparing for a solo return to Britain next week, without Meghan Markle, as he’s scheduled to appear at a well-known charity event – and royal watchers are already questioning whether the trip could lead to a long-awaited meeting with King Charles.

The Duke of Sussex will attend the WellChild Awards on Monday, September 8, where he will deliver a speech and take part in meetings with other organisations linked to his patronages. The date is also significant – it marks three years since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.  His visit has stirred interest not only because of its timing but also because it will be his first trip back to Britain since losing a lengthy legal dispute over his security arrangements.

Legal defeat over personal protection

Harry’s return follows the outcome of a court case that saw him challenge the decision to downgrade his security after stepping back from royal duties. Earlier this year, judges dismissed his appeal, concluding that his arguments, while heartfelt, did not present sufficient legal grounds.

Sir Geoffrey Vos, one of the senior judges on the case, remarked that Harry’s status as a protected individual while in Britain would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but outside the country, he no longer fell within the same framework.  As a result of the ruling, Harry may now face legal bills totalling over £1.5 million, covering the costs for both his own legal team and the government’s.

Throughout the case, Harry expressed deep frustration, describing the situation as “difficult to swallow.” His legal representatives argued that he had been treated unfairly and singled out for reduced protection. They pointed to past security threats – including being named in extremist propaganda – as justification for heightened concern.  One incident highlighted was the 2023 car chase involving him and Meghan in New York, which was cited as evidence of ongoing danger to his family.  Despite this, government lawyers argued that Harry’s objections were not enough to overturn the original decision.

Stepping away from Sentebale

The prince’s upcoming charity appearance comes after a rocky chapter involving Sentebale, the organisation he co-founded in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. Established in memory of Princess Diana, the charity focuses on supporting children and young people affected by HIV and AIDS in southern Africa.  Earlier this year, Harry formally resigned from his role within the charity following a public disagreement over leadership. A report from the Charity Commission revealed that the dispute – involving trustee resignations and tension over leadership direction – had the potential to overshadow Sentebale’s mission.

At the centre of the disagreement was Dr Sophie Chandauka, who had been appointed chair of the board. The commission concluded that while all parties bore some responsibility for the breakdown in communication, Dr Chandauka could continue in her position.  The fallout appears to have been triggered by plans to relocate the charity’s fundraising base to Africa – a move that sparked division among the trustees and ultimately led to Harry and Prince Seeiso stepping down.

Though the upcoming event in Britain is focused on his ongoing charitable work, questions linger over whether Harry will take the opportunity to reunite with his father.  It has been over a year since the two were last seen together, and their relationship remains the subject of widespread speculation – especially following King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, which prompted Harry to fly in briefly in early 2024.  With no official word yet from the Palace, a potential meeting remains uncertain. But with Harry back on home ground, the possibility of a royal reconciliation is once again in the spotlight.