Prince Harry’s return to the United Kingdom this week has set the royal rumor mill spinning yet again, as the Duke of Sussex embarks on a four-day visit centered on charity work—and possibly, reconciliation. Touching down at Heathrow Airport from Los Angeles on the morning of September 8, 2025, Harry wasted no time before heading to Windsor. There, he paid private respects at the grave of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, inside St George’s Chapel—an intimate gesture on the third anniversary of her death, according to BBC and multiple UK outlets.
His arrival comes at a pivotal moment for the House of Windsor. Not only does the visit coincide with commemorations for the late monarch, but it also stirs speculation about a potential meeting with his father, King Charles III, for the first time in 19 months. The last time father and son met was in February 2024, when Harry rushed to London after learning of the King’s cancer diagnosis. Their meeting was brief—just about 30 minutes—before Charles departed for his Sandringham estate to recuperate, as reported by the Associated Press and The Times.
Harry’s itinerary this week is packed with charity-focused engagements, including a substantial donation to the Children in Need charity and a private briefing with the Police and Crime Commission and grassroots community partners. But the centerpiece of his visit is the annual WellChild Awards, an event he has supported for 17 years as patron. This marks his 15th appearance at the ceremony, where he will meet with winners and their families at a pre-ceremony reception and present an award to an inspirational child aged four to six. In a statement released by WellChild, Harry said, “For 20 years these Awards have highlighted the courage of young people living with complex health needs and shone a light on the devoted caregivers—family and professionals—who support them every step of the way. Their stories remind us of the power of compassion, connection and community.”
Despite the public focus on charity, much of the intrigue surrounding Harry’s visit centers on the royal family’s strained relationships. Since Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California in 2020, ties with his father and brother, Prince William, have grown increasingly frosty. The rift deepened after the couple’s high-profile interviews and Harry’s memoir, Spare, which aired grievances about the royal household and revealed private family conversations. Harry’s criticisms included the 2020 decision to withdraw his security detail, which he argued “knowingly put me and my family in harm’s way.”
In April 2025, Harry returned to London for a court case challenging the removal of his police protection. That visit did not include a family reunion—King Charles was on a state visit to Italy at the time. However, once the legal dispute ended, Harry signaled a willingness to move forward. “There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” he told the BBC on the day the case was resolved. “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has.” He added, “I would love a reconciliation with my family.”
Still, Harry made clear that reconciliation requires honesty. In the same BBC interview, he reflected, “It would be nice to have that reconciliation part now. If they don’t want that, that’s entirely up to them.” He also acknowledged the challenges, saying, “What I’m struggling to forgive, and what I will probably always struggle to forgive, is the decision that was made in 2020 that affects my every single day.”
Behind the scenes, there are signs of a softening tone. In July 2025, Harry and Meghan’s new communications chief, Meredith Maines, was spotted meeting with Tobyn Andreae, the King’s press representative, at a private members’ club in London. The Mail on Sunday dubbed it “The secret Harry peace summit.” While the content of that meeting remains private, its very occurrence suggests a willingness on both sides to explore a truce.
Yet, not all royal relationships appear ready for mending. Prince William, who recently resumed public duties after a seven-week break, was scheduled to be just 20 miles away from Harry’s London events. Despite their proximity, a reunion between the brothers was reportedly “rejected out of hand.” According to a source cited by The Mirror, “William feels Harry has repeatedly chosen public exposure over private resolution and that the Royal Family can’t keep being dragged into the headlines every time there’s a new contract to promote.”
Harry’s hopes for a broader family reconciliation also extend to his wife and children—Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4—who have not visited the UK since 2022. Friends of Harry told The Times that he “has not given up hope” of bringing his family back, wanting his children to know their British relatives and heritage. However, he admitted to the BBC, “I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point. And the things they’re going to miss, well, everything … I miss the UK.”
For now, Harry’s current visit is focused on charity, with sources telling Sky News there will be “no negativity,” and that the Prince is “really looking forward to coming back to do what he loves.” The sentiment is echoed by his actions—his immediate pilgrimage to his grandmother’s grave, his hands-on involvement with WellChild, and his commitment to supporting young people through the Children in Need donation, which is earmarked for work tackling violence and its effects on youth.
Buckingham Palace and Harry’s team have remained tight-lipped about the possibility of a meeting with King Charles during this visit. Yet, as the monarch approaches his 77th birthday and continues cancer treatment, some observers believe the King may have a growing desire to spend more time with his grandchildren, perhaps nudging the family toward a thaw.
Whether this visit heralds a genuine rapprochement or simply marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of royal estrangement remains to be seen. But for now, Prince Harry’s return to the UK is a reminder of the enduring pull of family—and the possibility, however faint, of healing old wounds.
