Prince Harry, all smiles, has kicked off the second day of his UK visit with a trip to Nottingham, in a diary clash with his brother Prince William. The Duke of Sussex, 40, arrived in the city to pay a visit to the Community Recording Studio, just over an hour after William, 43, began an engagement at a youth project in South London.
Harry’s visit is set to show his support for BBC Children in Need and revisit the recording studio in Nottingham, where he is expected to announce a hefty donation to the broadcaster’s charity to aid its work combating violence impacting young people.
He was greeted with cheers upon his arrival at the charity in Nottingham in a black Range Rover, arriving about 40 minutes late to the engagement, because of traffic in London caused by tube strikes. Harry no longer has the benefits of his official public duties since he stepped down as a working member of the royal family, including police vehicles to escort him through traffic.
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Harry smiled as he arrived at the Community Recording Studio (CRS) in Nottingham -Credit:AFP via Getty Images
The duke chuckled when a member of the public shouted “Harry, you brought the sunshine with you”, before warmly greeting the chief executive officer of the CRS charity with a handshake and hug, reports the Mirror.
Harry flashed a thumbs-up and a grin before heading inside the recording studio building, where he will reconnect with young people he has met previously, watch performances from CRS artists and deliver a speech. Around 100 locals, including a group of young children, gathered by a garage across the road to applaud and cheer for Harry.
Harry last visited the CRS to commemorate World Mental Health Day in October 2019, just two months prior to him and wife Meghan Markle announcing their decision to step back as senior working royals and relocate to North America.
Harry’s visit will see him show his support for BBC Children in Need -Credit:PA
Harry greets the staff -Credit:Getty Images
While Harry is in Nottingham, Prince William visited Spiral Skills, which has received funding from the prince’s homelessness initiative Homewards to move into a new hub for young people at The Oasis Village, Tulse Hill in London.
Founded in 2015, Spiral Skills collaborates with local schools, youth organisations and authorities to offer early intervention, support, employability skills and access to employment and services for 14 to 25 year olds, according to Kensington Palace.
Prince William toured the organisation’s new premises to see firsthand how it provides support for those who need it. He also attended a workshop with Young Creators UK, a creative agency run and owned by underrepresented young people, which receives referrals from Spiral Skills.
Prince William visits Spiral Skills, a youth organisation in Lambeth, south London -Credit:IAN VOGLER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
William carried out the engagement in London as Harry was in Nottingham -Credit:IAN VOGLER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Joining Prince William was Homewards advocate and former England midfielder Fara Williams. They discussed how the organisation has empowered individuals to gain confidence and learn new skills.
On Monday night, Harry spoke about “challenging” relationships between siblings when he met WellChild award winners to celebrate their achievements.
Harry joked and laughed with seriously ill youngsters ahead of a glittering awards ceremony recognising their efforts to succeed and thrive despite life-threatening conditions.
When he chatted to Declan Bitmead, 17 – winner of the inspirational young person 15-18 years award, he quizzed him about family life, asking if he had siblings and the teenager replied he had a younger brother.
“Does he drive you mad?” asked the duke, and Declan replied “no, we get on fine” – and Harry quipped with a smile “you know what – siblings”.
When told the 17-year-old, from Oxted in Surrey, and his brother went to the same school, the duke said “you’re at the same school, that sometimes makes it more challenging”.
While Harry is expected to potentially have a reunion with his father, King Charles, during his rare trip to UK shores, it is extremely unlikely that he will see his estranged brother, William.