Prince Harry’s recent visit back to the UK saw the Duke of Sussex get straight back into the swing of things with a series of engagements – and insiders have revealed his plans going forward
Harry’s plans for UK visits revealed(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
When Prince Harry recently spent four days in the UK meeting with causes close to his heart, paying his respects to his late grandmother, and catching up with his father, King Charles, it gave a glimpse of perhaps what could have been if the monarchy had allowed him to approach his duties part-time.
Whilst Harry’s request to only represent the crown on a part-time basis was firmly denied back in 2020 when he and Meghan decided it was best for their family to step back from full-time working royal duties, the recent visit could be a mark of things to come, according to insiders.
Harry and Meghan have set up a new home for themselves in California, and it isn’t one they will be giving up any time soon, with Harry noting recently, “I am very happy with who I am and I like the life that I live.”
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Sources have echoed this, pointing out he is “genuinely happy” on the other side of the pond and doesn’t want to re-join the Firm in any official capacity. Making up with his royal relatives is, however, definitely on his agenda.
Equally, he is keen to return to the UK to work with his charities more often, a source revealed to the Telegraph, likely following a similar pattern to his recent visit, which was widely seen as a resounding success.
This could be “two or three times a year, potentially quarterly,” it is reported, “for multi-day trips following the pattern of the last one: engagements with his old patronages and the organisations with which he has kept in touch.”
Harry told the Guardian about his recent visit, “I have enjoyed the week,” says Harry. “I have always loved the UK and I always will love the UK.
“It’s been good to reconnect with the causes I am passionate about. I have been able to spend some time with people that I have known for so long. It is hard to do it from far away.”
His main priority was also made clear in the interview: his father, King Charles.
“The focus really has to be on my dad,” Harry explained about the year ahead. The father and son met up at Clarence House for just under an hour, where they had tea – which came after 19 months of separation.
Both sides have kept pretty tight-lipped about the contents of their meeting, but an anonymous source is reported as saying to US Weekly that it was a tearful and “emotional” catch-up.
“They shared a long hug when they first saw each other,” the source is quoted as saying. “Harry started crying, and it was very emotional for both of them. They really missed each other.”
Whilst relations seem to be warming up with King Charles, it remains to be seen if reconciliation is possible with his elder brother Prince William, with it being reportedly widely that the siblings had no plans to meet when Harry was back on home turf.
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