Prince Harry Returns to U.K. Solo to Champion One of His Most Cherished Causes After N.Y.C. Visit

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex smiles as he attends the Wellchild Awards 2024 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on September 30, 2024 in London.Photo:Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince Harryis back in the U.K. for one of his most beloved causes following hiswhirlwind visit to N.Y.C.

On Monday, Sept. 30, the Duke of Sussex, 40, stepped out solo in London for the annual WellChild Awards, celebrating the incredible courage and achievements of seriously ill children. The U.K. charity is one of the few causes Harry has kept sincestepping backfrom his role as a full-working member of the royal family in January 2020.

The WellChild Awards highlight the resilience of children facing serious health challenges and the dedication of those who care for them, from parents to nurses. Harry will be presenting the award for the Most Inspirational Child (ages 4-6) and is set to deliver a speech at the ceremony.

“With the awards, we try to shine a light on a group of really inspiring young people and carers who are often unseen and unrecognized,” WellChild chief executive Matt James tells PEOPLE. “Having Prince Harry, the WellChild patron, with us not only allows us to provide them with a night they will never forget, but also provides a powerful platform to tell their stories and show the world what it’s like when caring for a child with complex medical needs.”

He adds, “It allows us to both create a magical experience for our winners, but also provides us with a platform to tell their important stories.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex smiles as he attends the WellChild Awards 2024 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Sept. 30, 2024 in London.Victoria Jones/Shutterstock

Victoria Jones/Shutterstock

Harry, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Sept. 15, is traveling solo, as his wife,Meghan Markle, is home in Montecito, California, with the couple’s two children,Prince Archie, 5, andPrincess Lilibet, 3.

The event is always deeply emotional, with Prince Harry spending meaningful time connecting with the courageous children, their families and the dedicated caregivers who support them. In a heartfelt statement, Harry expressed his deep gratitude, saying he is “honored” to once again celebrate “the remarkable courage and achievements of children living with complex medical needs."

“These incredible young people, along with the dedicated caregivers, nurses, and professionals who tirelessly support them, inspire us all. It is a true privilege to recognize such extraordinary individuals," he added.

Harry has made the WellChild Awards a regular commitment, attending 12 ceremonies, and often spending meaningful time with the children and their families. The Duchess of Sussex memorably joined him at the awards in 2018 and 2019.

“When Prince Harry meets our families, it’s a really special moment for them,” James says. “Sometimes they can feel a bit nervous, as you can imagine, but one of his great qualities is his ability to immediately put our families and the children at ease. To see them smiling and laughing together with him is always a highlight of the evening.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex smiles as he attends the WellChild Awards 2024 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Sept. 30, 2024 in London, England.Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince Harry’s journey across the Atlantic to attend the WellChild Awards is evidence of what the event means to him, and James says that “We’re very lucky to have his ongoing commitment, very privileged to have him as our patron. He has been very supportive of WellChild in more general terms as well. Over the years, Prince Harry has visited many of our WellChild nurses and visited our Helping Hands garden makeover project, so he has seen firsthand the impact that we can have. Outside of the glitz and glamor of the WellChild Awards, there is really important working going on, and he’s been a huge supporter of that.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Patron of WellChild, arrives for the annual WellChild Awards 2024, which celebrates the achievements and resilience of seriously ill youngsters and their families, in London on Sept. 30, 2024.Simon Perry

Simon Perry

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This visit comes just days after Harry’s solo visit to N.Y.C., where he supported several of his charities and organizations, including The Diana Award, The HALO Trust, African Parks and Travalyst. It also marks Harry’s return to Britain after his last trip in August for the funeral of his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes. At that time, it was reported he had no interaction with his brother, Prince William. Before that, he made a brief visit in June to testify in court during his legal battle with Mirror Group Newspapers.

Harry is expected to travel to Lesotho and South Africa in early October for his Sentebale charity, which he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006.

The Duke of Sussex has no plans to see William or his father, King Charles, during his time in the U.K., PEOPLE understands. Harry’s relationship with his father, Charles, who is currently in Scotland alongside Queen Camilla, remains strained amid Harry’s ongoing battle for security.

Sources previously told PEOPLE thatcalls and letters to his father go unanswered. Harry’s attempts to connect with his brother, Prince William — through texts, calls, and messages — are also similarly ignored.

WellChild estimates over 100,000 children in the U.K. live with complex medical needs, and the annual awards aim to shine a spotlight on their incredible bravery, as well as the unwavering dedication of the caregivers who support them.

As for Prince Harry, “His objective for tonight is really ensuring that we give these families the celebration and recognition that they deserve and provide a platform to enable us to tell their very important stories,” James says. “Those are the objectives for both him and us.”

source: people.com