Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is set to embark on a poignant four-day trip to the United Kingdom, marking his longest visit to his homeland since the funeral of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022. The visit, scheduled to begin on September 8, 2025, comes at a time of heightened intrigue, as it coincides with the recent passing of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, a respected yet low-profile member of the royal family. While Harry has privately sent his condolences to the Duchess’s family, uncertainty looms over whether he will join other royals at her funeral, a question that has sparked intense speculation about his strained relationships within the House of Windsor. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, will remain in Los Angeles with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, adding another layer of complexity to this emotionally charged journey.
The backdrop of Harry’s visit is the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who passed away peacefully at Kensington Palace on September 4, 2025, at the age of 92. Known for her quiet dignity and dedication to charity, particularly in music education, the Duchess was a beloved figure who attended Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, one of her rare public appearances in recent years. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the royal family, including a heartfelt statement from King Charles and Queen Camilla, who praised her lifelong devotion to service. Harry’s private message of condolence reflects his personal connection to the Duchess, yet it remains unclear whether he will be invited to or attend her funeral, given the ongoing tensions with his family.
Harry’s itinerary is packed with charitable engagements, underscoring his commitment to causes he has long championed. On September 8, he will attend the WellChild Awards in London, an event he has supported for 17 years as patron. The awards celebrate the resilience of seriously ill children and their families, and Harry is expected to deliver a speech and present an award, continuing a tradition he has prioritized even after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. The following day, he will travel to Nottingham to announce a significant donation to Children in Need and engage with local youth organizations tackling issues like violence and supporting young people through creative arts and sports. These events highlight Harry’s dedication to making a difference, even as he navigates his complex relationship with the royal family.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Harry will reunite with his father, King Charles, during this visit. The father and son have not seen each other since February 2024, when Harry made a brief trip to London following the King’s cancer diagnosis. That meeting, lasting just over half an hour, was a fleeting moment in their strained relationship, which has been marked by public disputes and Harry’s candid memoir, Spare. Recent signs suggest a potential thaw, with Harry’s aides meeting with one of the King’s key staffers in July 2025, described as a “good first step” toward reconciliation. However, Buckingham Palace and Harry’s team have remained tight-lipped about the possibility of a meeting, fueling speculation about whether the King, currently balancing cancer treatment and royal duties, will make time to see his son.
Adding to the drama is the absence of Meghan Markle, who has not returned to the UK since September 2022, when she and Harry attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. The decision for Meghan to stay in Los Angeles with their children, Archie (6) and Lilibet (4), has reignited discussions about the couple’s life in California and their reluctance to bring their family to the UK. Harry has previously expressed concerns about security, stating in a May 2025 BBC interview that he cannot envision bringing his wife and children back without adequate protection. His ongoing legal battle with the UK government over security arrangements underscores this issue, with Harry arguing that the UK is central to his children’s heritage but too risky without proper safeguards.
The royal family’s dynamics add another layer of intrigue. Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains deeply fractured, with the siblings reportedly not speaking. Their last public encounter, at a memorial service in August 2024, saw them avoid interaction, a stark contrast to their once-close bond. The possibility of Harry and William crossing paths at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, if Harry attends, could be an awkward moment for the royal family, especially under the public’s watchful eye. Meanwhile, King Charles’s desire for reconciliation, as expressed in his plea to his sons not to “make my final years a misery,” adds emotional weight to Harry’s visit.
Beyond the family drama, Harry’s trip reflects his longing to reconnect with his roots. Friends of the Duke have shared that he wishes to show Archie and Lilibet where he grew up, introducing them to their British heritage. This sentiment, however, is complicated by the security concerns and the royal family’s reluctance to fully embrace the Sussexes after their departure from royal duties. The couple’s move to Montecito, California, in 2020 marked a new chapter, with Harry and Meghan building a life through their Archewell foundation and commercial ventures, including Netflix series and Meghan’s lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan. Yet, Harry’s repeated returns to the UK for court cases, charity events, and family occasions suggest a pull toward his homeland that he cannot fully escape.
As Harry prepares to step back onto British soil, the world watches with bated breath. Will this visit mark a turning point in his relationship with the royal family, or will it deepen the divide? The funeral of the Duchess of Kent, the WellChild Awards, and the Nottingham charity event are more than just engagements—they are a stage for a royal drama that has captivated audiences for years. Whether Harry finds a path to reconciliation or faces further estrangement, his journey underscores the complexities of family, duty, and the search for peace in the spotlight of royalty.
