Inside Prince Harry’s “Very Special” Visit to London, Where He Honored His Grandmother

The Duke of Sussex’s visit to the U.K. for the WellChild Awards comes on the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s passing

preview for These Iconic Royal Outfits Have Surprising Hidden Meanings

Prince Harry traveled back to British soil on Thursday for one of his most cherished royal patronages. The Duke of Sussex flew into London especially to attend the WellChild Awards, an annual event that honors sick children, their families, and caregivers.

“It’s so good to be here; I’ve been looking forward to it, it’s very special to me,” he said as he arrived at London’s Hurlingham Club for the September 7 event. “[Duchess Meghan] is sad she can’t be here.”

Before attending the ceremony, Harry spent an hour at a private reception meeting the young winners and adult caregivers receiving awards. Sitting down with seven-year-old Poppy, Harry joked that he looked “a bit like” Ed Sheeran after the girl said she was in the mood to dance to the singer’s music. “Are you ready for a boogie?” the prince asked, laughing. Poppy may be young, but she is fully committed to helping her older sister Paige, 17, who suffers from severe epilepsy and hyperinsulinism—it’s why she was presented with the Caring Child Award. “You know you’re very special, don’t you?” Harry told her. “And I love your dress. The whole look is fantastic.”

wellchild awards 2023, in association with gsk at the hurlingham club, london winner poppy higham with prince harry 79 2023picture by antony thompson

Violet Seymour, whom Harry later presented with an Inspirational Child Award, had a giggle with the prince when he asked her if she was a fan of pandas. The six-year-old, who was born with a brain condition and has undergone multiple surgeries over the past five years, was excited to be able to take a giant panda balloon to her home in Poole, but confessed she was actually more into kittens. “We’ll have to find you a different balloon, then,” Harry said to her.

Violet’s mother, Holly Kieser, later shared that being at the awards meant “the world” to them, as it was a chance to uplift and praise their special girl. “She’s been through so much, and she has another surgery in a month, but she’s always smiling and happy,” she told Bazaar.com. “We’re a small family, which makes it more of a challenge, as our network is small, but we all help each other and look after her needs.” She added: “It’s fantastic that Harry comes and spends time with everyone. Everyone gets a moment with him, and it makes the day even more special.”

Prince Harry also joined 14-year-old Hayley, who has cerebral palsy diplegia and a displaced hip, and has raised over $120,000 for charities. The pair spoke about this year’s Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, as well as Hayley’s own athletic pursuits: wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. “I’ve no doubt I’ll soon see you [in the Paralympics],” Harry told her. “I’ve watched the Invictus competitions, and it’s great that Harry cares so much about it,” Hayley later told Bazaar . “It’s my dream to compete for Team GB.”

Despite her challenges, Hayley’s upbeat attitude and resilient spirit have made her an inspiration to others around her. “It’s important to me to be able to support others and inspire people,” she said. “I’ve dealt with bullying at school, and that’s been difficult, but I believe in speaking up, not just for myself but also for others.”

Ruky Anighoro, who has a form of brittle bone disease and has undergone countless procedures and surgeries, was given a special recognition award. But the highlight of his night was showing his rap skills off to Harry. A budding musician, 14-year-old Ruky has already released a single titled “Watch Me Now,” and Harry nodded his head and praised the teen after watching him spit a few impromptu bars. “We’re definitely going to see you in the charts,” Harry told him. Mom Ufuoma later told reporters, “It’s really great that Prince Harry made the visit all the way over from California for this. You can tell he really cares about all of the children. He’s very natural.”

There was laughter when Harry joked with Blake McCaughey about taking home the giant tiger balloon next to the boy’s seat. “Never leave a ginger behind,” he told the teenager, who won an Inspirational Young Person trophy. Blake, 15, who has a rare genetic condition that means he cannot eat or drink, delighted the duke with a custom Belfast Giants ice hockey jersey with Harry’s name on the back and the number 84 to reflect his birth year, plus a bottle of Giants Basalt Rock Gin.

wellchild awards 2023, in association with gsk, held at the hurlingham club, london 7 september 2023picture by andrew higgins

Mom Christine told Bazaar of meeting Harry, “He was so down to earth. I wasn’t nervous about meeting him. He’s very much on your level and just very good with Blake, asking him about himself but also wishing him well and asking why he was in the hospital and what the food was like—which Blake told him was crap.”

During their chat, Harry warned Blake’s family that it would be an emotional night, but was told that Blake himself was “the emotional one.” Harry added, “It’s good to cry.”

Other winners of the evening included 11-year-old George Hall, who has severe health problems, meaning he has a tracheotomy, pacemaker, and complete heart block. His courage saw him receive an Inspiration Child Award. Harry later commented that the bravery of all of the children present was extremely humbling, particularly for a father of two healthy children.

“As a father of two—and three dogs, so basically five—I’m acutely aware of the many joys and challenges that come with parenting,” he said. “And that’s with kids who aren’t facing health challenges. So to the parent carers in the room, you have my sincerest admiration and respect. The level of support and responsibility you share daily is unrivaled and without fail. You deserve all the assistance you need—whether it’s training enough skilled carers to help shoulder the increasing demands of 24/7 care routines or simply providing time and space for you to take a break once in a while. It is our collective responsibility to continue to provide new and existing resources for you, to advocate on your behalf, and to help in any way we can. You are proof that not all superheroes wear capes!”

And this Friday, Prince Harry visited St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, where he privately paid his respects to Queen Elizabeth on the anniversary of her death . The duke was photographed by a passerby leaving his grandmother’s resting place. Later in the day, he will travel to Düsseldorf, where he will stay until September 16 for the 2023 Invictus Games—the sporting event he founded for wounded, sick, and injured veterans and service people.

Prince William and Princess Kate also honored the late queen at a service today , and King Charles III shared a touching statement remembering his mother.

Headshot of Omid Scobie

Omid Scobie is BAZAAR.com ’s Royal Editor at Large and has covered the lives and philanthropic work of the younger members of the British Royal Family for over eight years. As well as spearheading exclusive coverage of major royal milestones (including the weddings of both the Cambridges and Sussexes), Scobie has traveled extensively with Harry, Meghan, William and Kate on their engagements in the U.K. and around the world. As ABC News’s Royal Contributor, Scobie is a regular on Good Morning America and host of the network’s forthcoming podcast, The Heir Pod .

The Latest from Your Favorite Royals

sentebale polo 2018

Beatrice and Eugenie Wear a Pleated Skirt Two Ways

birmingham, england april 11 prince william, prince of wales and prince george of wales look on alongside tyrone mings of aston villa during the uefa europa conference league 202324 quarter final first leg match between aston villa and lille osc at villa park on april 11, 2024 in birmingham, englandphoto by marc atkinsgetty images

Prince William and George Enjoy Rare Outing

windsor, united kingdom may 19 duchess of sussex and prince harry, duke of sussex wave as they leave windsor castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at frogmore house, hosted by the prince of wales on may 19, 2018 in windsor, england photo by steve parsons wpa poolgetty images

Harry and Meghan Are Launching Two Reality Shows

london, england april 8 sophie, duchess of edinburgh and prince edward, duke of edinburgh on behalf of king charles iii, watch the changing of the guard at buckingham palace with frances gendarmeries garde republicaine taking part to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the entente cordiale the historic diplomatic agreement between britain and france which laid the groundwork for their collaboration in both world wars on april 8, 2024 in london, england photo by victoria jones poolgetty images

Duchess Sophie & Prince Edward Step In for Charles

the prince of wales duchess of cornwall visit new zealand day 2

The Love Story of King Charles & the Queen Consort

madrid, spain april 04 queen letizia of spain attends the national sports awards 2022 at el pardo palace on april 04, 2024 in madrid, spain photo by paolo bloccowireimage

Queen Letizia Wears the Perfect Red Leather Pants

unspecified, belize march 20 catherine, duchess of cambridge during a traditional garifuna festival on the second day of a platinum jubilee royal tour of the caribbean on march 20, 2022 in hopkins, belize the duke and duchess of cambridge are visiting belize, jamaica and the bahamas on their week long tour photo by chris jacksongetty images

Kate’s Cancer Announcement Video Has a Disclaimer

balmoral castle will open to the public

Balmoral Castle Will Open to the Public

meghan

Duchess Meghan Embodies Spring in Pastels

japans princess aiko, the daughter of emperor naruhito and empress masako, walks through the grounds of gakushuin university on her way to attend her graduation ceremony, in the mejiro area of tokyo on march 20, 2024 photo by richard a brooks pool afp photo by richard a brookspoolafp via getty images

Japan's Royal Family Just Joined Instagram

king charles is all smiles at easter service

King Charles Is All Smiles at Easter Service

Prince Harry Shares Heartwarming Moment of Queen Elizabeth's Last Visit with Archie and Lilibet

Prince Harry

In a resurfaced excerpt from his memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry opened up about the late Queen Elizabeth II's final visit with his children, Archie and Lilibet, revealing a touching moment that showcased the strong bond between the monarch and her great-grandchildren. Despite the family feud that strained their relationship in her final years, Harry described how his children behaved during the long-awaited meeting.

"Archie making deep, chivalrous bows, his baby sister Lilibet cuddling the monarch's shins. Sweetest children, Granny said , sounding bemused," Harry wrote. He explained that the Queen had expected the children to be "a bit more...American," meaning "more rambunctious" in her mind.

Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022 at the age of 96 deeply affected Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle. Harry admitted that the loss changed the way he acted around his young family upon returning to the United States following her funeral. "For days and days, we couldn't stop hugging the children, couldn't let them out of our sight. Though I also couldn't stop picturing them with Granny," he shared.

However, while this heartwarming moment sheds light on the close relationship between the Queen and her great-grandchildren, a new book by royal journalist Robert Hardman has revealed a contrasting story involving the naming of Harry and Meghan's daughter, Lilibet.

According to Hardman's autobiography, currently being serialized in the Daily Mail, the late Queen was "as angry as I'd ever seen her" after the couple stated she had been "supportive" of their decision to name their daughter after her childhood nickname. The book claims that the Sussexes were "rebuffed" by Buckingham Palace when they asked them to back up their claim publicly.

"One privately [member of palace staff] recalled that Elizabeth II had been 'as angry as I'd ever seen her' in 2021 after the Sussexes announced that she had given them her blessing to call their baby daughter 'Lilibet', the queen's childhood nickname," the book reads. "The couple subsequently fired off warnings of legal action against anyone who dared to suggest otherwise, as the BBC had done. However, when the Sussexes tried to co-opt the Palace into propping up their version of events, they were rebuffed."

The BBC had reported a palace source saying that the Queen "was not asked by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex about naming their daughter Lilibet." In response, the couple accused the broadcasters of libel, but according to Hardman, the threat of legal action "evaporated and the libel action against the BBC never materialised."

At the time of the naming announcement, Harry and Meghan's spokesperson maintained that the Duke had spoken with his family in advance, sharing their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in the Queen's honor and stating that they would not have used the name had she not been supportive.

The book also provides new insight into Harry's relationship with his father, King Charles. While the King is said to be "extremely sad" about Harry's estrangement, he now feels that he has "done what he can" and must focus on his role as monarch. However, a senior official is quoted as saying that Charles will "always" leave the door open for his youngest son.

As the royal rift continues to deepen, with neither King Charles nor Prince William having read Harry's memoir but being informed of its "key points" by staff, the Sussexes are reportedly enlisting the help of a top UK PR guru to rebuild their broken image. This move is thought to be connected to Meghan's upcoming launch of her new brand, American Riviera Orchard, which is expected to sell a wide variety of products from cookbooks to homeware.

  • ‘Thank Goodness’: Queen Elizabeth Expressed Relief at Meghan Markle's Absence from Prince Philip's Funeral, Claims Biographer
  • Kate Middleton Reportedly Seen in Public, But Lack of Photographic Evidence Fuels Speculation
  • Queen Camilla's Overseas Vacation Seen as 'Power Play' Against Prince William
  • Kate Middleton Reportedly Considers Addressing Health Conspiracies Upon Return to Royal Duties

© 2023 Business Times All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

More From BusinessTImes

prince harry last visit to queen

  • Prince Harry Allegedly Faces Challenges In Gaining Prince William And Princess Kate's Forgiveness
  • Donald Trump 'Really Fears' Melania's Anger And Denies Stormy Daniels Affair Claims, Ex-Aide Reveals
  • Liz Truss Reflects On Her Last Poignant Meeting With Queen Elizabeth
  • Prince Harry Allegedly Outraged by Prince William's Close Ties To Queen Camilla
  • First Day of Donald Trump’s Trial Dominated by Jury Challenges and Legal Maneuvers

The best of BusinessTimes news delivered right into your email box absolutely free.

Prince Harry says security issues remain after recent trip to see queen

  • Medium Text

Britain's Lady Gabriella Windsor's wedding

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Reporting by Kate Holton; additional reporting by Susan Heavey in Washington; editing by William James and Bernadette Baum

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Invictus Games in Duesseldorf

World Chevron

Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing

Xi tells Germany's Scholz co-operation not a 'risk' amid EU trade tension

Co-operation between China and Germany was not a "risk" but a guarantee for stable ties and an opportunity for the future, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday, amid complaints by the EU about Chinese goods flooding the bloc's markets.

Illustration of a donkey in the sun

  • Skip to main content
  • Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Harry and Meghan visit Queen Elizabeth for 1st time since giving up their royal roles

The Associated Press

prince harry last visit to queen

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan speak during the Global Citizen festival, on Sept. 25, 2021, in New York. The couple visited Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on Thursday. Stefan Jeremiah/AP hide caption

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan speak during the Global Citizen festival, on Sept. 25, 2021, in New York. The couple visited Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on Thursday.

LONDON — Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have visited Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on their first joint visit to the U.K. since they gave up formal royal roles and moved to the U.S. more than two years ago.

The couple's office says they visited the 95-year-old queen, Harry's grandmother, Thursday on their way to the Netherlands to attend the Invictus Games. Harry is a founder and patron of the international sports competition for wounded military veterans.

Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals and moved to North America in 2020, citing the unbearable pressure of their roles and racist attitudes of the British media.

Why Meghan And Harry Named Their Daughter Lilibet Diana

Why Meghan And Harry Named Their Daughter Lilibet Diana

The couple, also known as the duke and duchess of Sussex, lost their taxpayer-funded police guard when they walked away, and Harry is suing the British government for refusing to let him pay for his own police security on his visits to the U.K. His lawyers say Harry wants to bring his children — Archie , who is almost 3, and 10-month-old Lilibet — to visit his home country but that it is too risky without police protection.

Harry and Meghan are expected to attend a reception in The Hague on Friday for the Invictus Games, which run from Saturday to April 22.

Harry And Meghan: Where Things Stand And 10 Takeaways From The Big Oprah Interview

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Harry and meghan: where things stand and 10 takeaways from the big oprah interview.

The visit to the queen came on Maundy Thursday , a day in the week before Easter that the queen for decades marked by distributing silver coins known as "Maundy money" to pensioners at a church service. This year the queen, who has been experiencing mobility issues in recent months and came down with COVID-19 in February, did not attend. She was represented by her eldest son, Prince Charles, and his wife Camilla.

The monarch also is expected to miss the royal family's Easter Sunday church service. She has continued to perform royal duties, including virtual audiences with politicians and diplomats.

  • Prince Harry
  • Queen Elizabeth
  • International edition
  • Australia edition
  • Europe edition

This video has been removed. This could be because it launched early, our rights have expired, there was a legal issue, or for another reason.

Prince Harry wants to ‘protect’ Queen and ensure ‘right people’ are around her

Duke of Sussex unsure if he will attend platinum jubilee, citing ‘security issues and everything else’

The Duke of Sussex has said he wants to ensure that his grandmother, the Queen, is “protected” and has the “right people around her”, adding that he does not yet know if he will return to the UK to celebrate her platinum jubilee because of “security issues and everything else”.

During an interview with US network NBC’s Today Show , Prince Harry , who met the Queen for tea last week, did not elaborate on whether he was referring to palace aides or the royal family.

Harry and Meghan have reportedly been invited to join the Queen on the Buckingham Palace balcony for celebrations during the jubilee bank holiday in June.

But the duke, who is embroiled in legal action with the Home Office over security for him and his family while in the UK, said he was unsure if he, Meghan, and their children Archie, three, and Lilibet, 10 months, would attend.

He told the Today Show host, Hoda Kotb: “I don’t know yet, there’s lots of things – security issues and everything else. So this is what I’m trying to do, trying to make it possible that, you know, I can get my kids to meet her,” he said.

Speaking about his meeting with his grandmother, Harry said she was “on great form”.

Harry and Meghan also met the Prince of Wales, having arrived from their home in the US before travelling to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games, which the duke founded and is now a private patron of.

Harry said of the Queen: “She’s always got a great sense of humour with me and I’m just making sure that she’s protected and got the right people around her.

“Both Meghan and I had tea with her, so it was really nice to catch up with her.”

Asked to name the best thing about his grandmother, Harry replied: “Her sense of humour and her ability to see humour in so many different silly things. We have a really special relationship, we talk about things that she can’t talk about with anybody else.”

He added: “But I think after a certain age you get bored of birthdays.”

When questioned whether she would be bored of her platinum jubilee he replied with a laugh: “No, I don’t think so. She’s had a few jubilees now. Everyone is slightly different but I’m sure she’s looking forward to it.”

The duke added that although he enjoyed visiting the UK and seeing his grandmother, his home remained in the US.

“Home for me now, for the time being, is in the States and it feels that way,” he said “We’ve been welcomed with open arms and have such a great community up in Santa Barbara.”

The couple moved to California after their decision to step down as senior royals in 2020, saying that they wanted a new life of personal and financial freedom. The duke’s visit to the UK is his third since March 2020.

During the interview, Harry said he felt his late mother’s “presence” in everything he did, and talked to his son, Archie, about “Grandma Diana”. But he appeared to avoid questions about his father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William. Asked if he missed them, he replied that he was focused on those involved in the Invictus Games.

“That’s my focus here. And when I leave here, I get back and my focus is on my family, who I miss massively,” he said, referring to Archie and Lilibet.

The Queen, who celebrates her 96th birthday on Thursday, has had to pull out of several events, including a church service on Easter Sunday, owing to mobility problems.

The Invictus Games, which concludes on Friday, involves 500 injured or unwell military personnel and veterans from across 20 nations who compete in a week of adaptive sports.

Harry is taking legal action against the government over his police protection in the UK.

  • Prince Harry
  • Queen Elizabeth II

More on this story

prince harry last visit to queen

Prince Harry makes first public appearance since talks with Queen

prince harry last visit to queen

Sussexes decided 'not necessary' for Meghan to join royal summit

prince harry last visit to queen

Charities defend Harry and Meghan’s decision to reduce royal role

prince harry last visit to queen

As Harry and Meghan are finding out, the royals don’t do ‘progressive’

prince harry last visit to queen

William and Harry deny 'offensive and potentially harmful' story

prince harry last visit to queen

Meghan threatened to bring change. So she was hounded out

prince harry last visit to queen

Harry and Meghan seek global trademark for 'Sussex Royal' brand

Most viewed.

Prince Harry says he may return to U.K. for queen’s jubilee, but ‘security’ issues could get in the way

LONDON — Prince Harry said he wanted to return to the United Kingdom for Queen Elizabeth II’s upcoming platinum jubilee and so his children could spend time with their great-grandmother, but warned that “security issues” could get in the way.

“I don’t know yet. There’s a lot of things, with security issues and everything else,” Harry told “TODAY” co-host Hoda Kotb during an exclusive interview to discuss the fifth Invictus Games , a sports competition for wounded and sick service members and veterans that he founded.

Harry, 37, said he was “trying to make it possible” to return to the U.K. with his children,  Archie  and  Lilibet , so they can get to know his home country and spend time with Elizabeth, who turns 96 Thursday. Lilibet, who was born in the United States in June, has not met her great-grandmother and other members of the royal family.

Prince Harry speaks to TODAY co-host Hoda Kotb during a sitdown to discuss the fifth Invictus Games.

The Duke of Sussex has been locked in a battle with the British government over a decision to block him from paying for police protection during visits to the U.K. Harry has said he wants to pay for police protection himself, rather than asking British taxpayers to foot the bill, but he has said he cannot do so without the go-ahead from Britain’s Home Office.

Without proper police protection, a legal representative for Harry has previously said , it would be too risky for the prince, his wife, Meghan, and their children to visit the U.K. from Santa Barbara, California, where they now live.

Harry also told Kotb of how nice it was to spend time with his grandmother earlier this month after he and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, quietly met with the monarch over tea .

The meeting was their first since the couple stepped down as senior working royals and moved to North America in 2020, with the two speaking out about the pressure they faced in their roles and alleged racist treatment of Meghan by members of the British media.

Prince Harry and Meghan attend a reception for friends and family of competitors of the Invictus Games at Nations Home at Zuiderpark on April 15, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands.

Harry told Kotb the queen had appeared in “great form” following a bout of Covid . “Being with her, it was great,” he said. “It was nice to see her, you know.”

The prince said he had wanted to make sure his grandmother was “protected” and has “got the right people around her.”

He also praised the queen for her “great sense of humor” and said he still shared a “really special relationship” with his grandmother.

“We talk about things that she can’t talk about with anybody else," he said.

Asked later whether he has missed his family, he said “Of course, that’s a huge part of it.” However, he said, he was focused on the families represented at the Invictus Games.

“That’s my focus here. And when I leave here, I get back and my focus is my family, who I miss massively,” he said of his wife and two children.

The prince said he loved everything about being a father, including “the chaos, the learning, the reminder of just every element of yourself, your soul.”

“I’ve always wanted to be a dad. I’ve always wanted to have my own kids and now, I’ve got two little people who I’m responsible for,” he said.

He said that while it could feel “complicated” at times having to “sort of restart” life “from a blank canvas,” with their move to the U.S., he and Meghan are committed to building a future for their family “together as a couple forever.”

Asked by Kotb whether he ever talks about his mother, Princess Diana, with his son, Archie, now that he’s old enough, Harry replied: “Very much so.”

“I don’t tell him all the stuff that happened, but certainly that this is you know, Grandma Diana, and we’ve got a couple of photos up in the house,” he said.

Harry said he could still feel his mother’s presence, particularly over “the last two years, more so than ever before.”

“I feel her presence in almost everything that I do now,” he said.

prince harry last visit to queen

Chantal Da Silva is a breaking news editor for NBC News Digital based in London. 

Prince Harry, Meghan make surprise visit to Queen

Couple stepped down as senior working royals and moved to north america in 2020.

prince harry last visit to queen

Social Sharing

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have visited Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle on their first joint visit to the U.K. since they gave up formal royal roles and moved to the U.S. more than two years ago.

The couple's office says they visited the 95-year-old Queen, Harry's grandmother, Thursday on their way to the Netherlands to attend the Invictus Games. Harry is a founder and patron of the international sports competition for wounded military veterans.

Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals and moved to North America in 2020, citing the unbearable pressure of their roles and racist attitudes of the British media.

  • CBC Investigates Russian billionaire is behind mansion that housed Harry and Meghan, leaked files show

The couple, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, lost their taxpayer-funded police guard when they walked away, and Harry is suing the British government for refusing to let him pay for his own police security on his visits to the U.K. His lawyers say Harry wants to bring his children — Archie, who is almost three, and 10-month-old Lilibet — to visit his home country but that it is too risky without police protection.

Harry and Meghan got an enthusiastic welcome from cheering competitors at the games site in a park in The Hague. The event opens Saturday and runs through April 22.

  • The Queen attends a memorial service for Prince Philip, one year after his death

The visit to the Queen came on Maundy Thursday, a day in the week before Easter that the Queen for decades marked by distributing silver coins known as "Maundy money" to pensioners at a church service. This year, the Queen, who has been experiencing mobility issues in recent months and came down with COVID-19 in February, did not attend. She was represented by her eldest son, Prince Charles, and his wife, Camilla.

The monarch also is expected to miss the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service. She has continued to perform royal duties, including virtual audiences with politicians and diplomats.

The Royal Fascinator

Add some “good” to your morning and evening.

Your deep dive into all things royal, delivered to your inbox every other Friday.

prince harry last visit to queen

Prince Harry, Meghan make surprise visit to Queen at Windsor

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have visited Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, on their first joint visit to the U.K. since they gave up formal royal roles and moved to the U.S. more than two years ago.

The couple's office says they visited the 95-year-old queen, Harry's grandmother, Thursday on their way to the Netherlands to attend the Invictus Games. Harry is a founder and patron of the international sports competition for wounded military veterans.

  • Sign up for our Royal Dispatch newsletter for all the latest royal news

Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals and moved to North America in 2020, citing the unbearable pressure of their roles and racist attitudes of the British media.

Since then Harry has made solo trips to the U.K. to attend the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Philip, in April 2021 and to unveil a statue of his late mother Princess Diana last July.

The couple, also known as the duke and duchess of Sussex, lost their taxpayer-funded police guard when they walked away, and Harry is suing the British government for refusing to let him pay for his own police security on his visits to the U.K. His lawyers say Harry wants to bring his children -- Archie, who is almost 3, and 10-month-old Lilibet -- to visit his home country but that it is too risky without police protection.

Harry and Meghan are expected to attend a reception in The Hague on Friday for the Invictus Games, which run from Saturday to April 22.

The visit to the queen came on Maundy Thursday, a day in the week before Easter that the queen for decades marked by distributing silver coins known as "Maundy money" to pensioners at a church service. This year the queen, who has been experiencing mobility issues in recent months and came down with COVID-19 in February, did not attend. She was represented by her eldest son, Prince Charles, and his wife Camilla.

The monarch also is expected to miss the royal family's Easter Sunday church service. She has continued to perform royal duties, including virtual audiences with politicians and diplomats.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; writing by James Davey; Editing by Sandra Maler)

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

prince harry last visit to queen

Budget 2024 'likely to be the worst' in decades, former BoC governor says

Without having seen it, former Bank of Canada governor David Dodge believes that Tuesday's 2024 federal budget from Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is 'likely to be the worst budget' in decades.

What's at stake for Canada after Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel

Following the Iranian missile and drone strikes against Israel over the weekend, Canada should take the threat of Iran and potential escalation of the conflict seriously, one global affairs analyst says.

Former B.C. school trustee's 'strip-tease artist' remark was defamatory, judge rules

A controversial former school trustee from B.C.'s Fraser Valley who described a political rival as a "strip-tease artist" during an election campaign has been ordered to pay her $45,000 for defamation.

'A sense of urgency': Sask. man accused of abducting daughter calls himself to the stand during trial

Michael Gordon Jackson, the man on trial after being charged with contravention of a custody order for allegedly abducting his daughter in late 2021 to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, called himself to the stand Monday.

Kingston, Ont.'s Aaliyah Edwards drafted into WNBA

After four years at the University of Connecticut, Edwards was selected sixth overall by the Washington Mystics in the WNBA draft Monday night.

NASA confirms mystery object that crashed through roof of Florida home came from space station

NASA confirmed Monday that a mystery object that crashed through the roof of a Florida home last month was a chunk of space junk from equipment discarded at the International Space Station.

A knife attack in Australia against a bishop and a priest is being treated as terrorism, police say

Horrified worshippers watched online and in person as a bishop was stabbed at the altar during a church service in Sydney on Sunday evening.

Body of 14-year-old boy pulled from Lake Ontario, police say he drowned while swimming

The body of a 14-year-old boy has been pulled from Lake Ontario after police say he drowned while swimming near Ashbridges Bay Park on Sunday night.

'Rust' armourer gets 18 months in prison for fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin on set

A movie weapons supervisor was sentenced to 18 months in prison in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust.'

prince harry last visit to queen

OPP investigating after human remains found in Ottawa River in Clarence-Rockland

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after human remains were found in the Ottawa River in Clarence-Rockland on Monday.

prince harry last visit to queen

Rural Manitoba council may be dissolved after mass exodus of elected officials: province

A mass exodus of elected officials from a rural Manitoba municipality has put the community in limbo and may force the province to dissolve what's left of the crumbling council.

Sask. promising RCMP money if they can recruit officers

Saskatchewan and the RCMP have inked a deal that would see the province fund hundreds more officers if Mounties can recruit to fill those positions.

UPDATED | Ontario and Ottawa release joint statement moving forward on Hwy. 413

An agreement between the provincial and federal governments will see Premier Doug Ford’s flagship Highway 413 move forward with a joint working group dedicated to minimizing environmental impacts.

prince harry last visit to queen

190 decaying bodies were found at a Colorado funeral home. Owners charged with COVID fraud of US$880K

A couple who owned a Colorado funeral home where authorities last year discovered 190 decaying bodies were indicted on federal charges that they misspent nearly US$900,000 in pandemic relief funds on vacations, cosmetic surgery, jewelry and other personal expenses, according to court documents unsealed Monday.

Body of 4th Baltimore bridge collapse victim recovered as feds start criminal probe and others launch new investigations

The ship crash that destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and left several people dead is now under federal criminal investigation, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.

DEVELOPING | Trump's historic hush-money trial gets underway; 1st day ends without any jurors being picked

The historic hush-money trial of Donald Trump got underway Monday with the arduous process of selecting a jury to hear the case charging the former U.S. president with falsifying business records in order to stifle stories about his sex life.

U.S. Supreme Court lets Idaho enforce ban on transgender care for minors

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday let a Republican-backed law in Idaho that criminalizes gender-affirming care for transgender minors broadly take effect after a federal judge blocked it as unconstitutional.

Donald Trump hush money trial, explained

All of Donald Trump's trials and the characters involved make for a complicated legal mess, particularly when the four criminal cases are added to Trump's civil liability for defamation and sexual misconduct and for business fraud. Here's what to know to get up to speed on this first criminal trial, starting April 15, 2024.

prince harry last visit to queen

Here's what to expect in the 2024 federal budget

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be presenting the 2024 federal budget on Tuesday, revealing how the federal Liberal government intends to balance the nearly $40 billion in pre-announced new spending with her vow to remain fiscally prudent.

Joly to Israel: 'Take the win' in thwarting Iran's weekend attack, don't retaliate

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she's urging Israel to de-escalate rising conflicts in the Middle East and not bomb Iran in retaliation for this past weekend's thwarted airstrikes.

prince harry last visit to queen

Exercise changes the brain in a way that helps heart health, especially for people with depression

It’s common knowledge that exercise is good for your mental health and your heart health — and now a new study suggests that all three are working together.

More than 250 websites selling fake weight-loss drugs reported by anti-counterfeit firm

The cybersecurity firm BrandShield has taken down more than 250 websites selling fake versions of popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs in the GLP-1 class, the company’s CEO Yoav Keren told Reuters.

What does science say about the ingredients in functional beverages?

Functional beverages -- or drinks promoted as offering mental or physical benefits beyond hydration -- are growing in popularity around the world. Hundreds of companies have jumped into the market, hoping to get some buzz with trendy and sometimes unfamiliar ingredients.

prince harry last visit to queen

Your morning coffee may be hundreds of thousands of years old

Using genes from coffee plants around the world, researchers built a family tree for the world's most popular type of coffee, known to scientists as Coffea arabica and to coffee lovers simply as 'arabica.'

NASA looks for new ways to return Martian samples to Earth due to budget cuts

NASA is seeking innovative methods that could help retrieve samples collected by the Perseverance rover on Mars in the future.

Entertainment

prince harry last visit to queen

Lead singer of band behind 'Who Let the Dogs Out' releases single through NSCC Music Business Program

Dyson Knight may look like an average college student, but since 2004, he’s actually been a member of the internationally acclaimed Baha Men.

Grimes apologizes for disastrous Coachella set

Canadian singer Grimes apologized to fans on Saturday after her Coachella set earlier that evening was beset by technical issues that caused her to scream into the microphone in frustration.

prince harry last visit to queen

B.C. fraudster who lured investors with promise to help homeless fined by securities regulator

A Vancouver woman whose company duped investors by promising big returns on real-estate deals that would house the homeless has been ordered to pay nearly $626,000 after the British Columbia Securities Commission deemed the operation a Ponzi scheme.

U.S. Justice Department files antitrust suit against Live Nation over ticket monopoly

The U.S. Department of Justice is preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation as soon as next month, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

iPhone sales are plunging. Here's why

Apple's smartphone sales tumbled 10 per cent last quarter, according to market research firm IDC, as sales in China fell sharply.

prince harry last visit to queen

'It was a special game': Edmonton pinball player celebrates high score and shout out from game designer

A high score on a Foo Fighters pinball machine has Edmonton player Dave Formenti on a high.

'My mind was blown': Celebrity food critic Keith Lee ranks Toronto visit

Celebrity food critic Keith Lee said he was blown away by Toronto, handing a rich ranking to its culinary creators, as the first international stop of his latest food tour.

Tips for saving on credit cards and shopping

Even as the cost of living goes up, there are still ways to save some cash when out shopping or using credit cards.

prince harry last visit to queen

Caitlin Clark selected No. 1 in WNBA draft by Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever selected sharpshooter Caitlin Clark with the first pick of the WNBA Draft on Monday.

NBA sets all-time regular-season attendance record

The NBA broke all-time regular-season records for total attendance, average attendance and sellouts for the second straight year in 2023-24.

prince harry last visit to queen

Tesla to lay off more than 10 per cent of staff globally as sales fall

Tesla will lay off more than 10 per cent of its global workforce, an internal memo seen by Reuters on Monday shows, as it grapples with falling sales amid an intensifying price war for electric vehicles.

Insurance is high on frequently stolen vehicles. Here's how to reduce your premiums

Looking for a break on car insurance premiums is often top of mind for drivers. And finding ways to reduce that figure is especially important now, when rampant thefts have led to higher insurance costs.

Why is Montreal a stolen car export hub? Jurisdiction limits and size, officials say

A police operation into stolen vehicles showed how Canada’s second-largest port in Montreal has become a key transport hub for stolen vehicle exports. Police say that's because of the port's strategic location and large container volume.

Local Spotlight

prince harry last visit to queen

'Why not do it together?': Lifelong friends take part in 'brosectomy' in Vancouver

While many people choose to keep their medical appointments private, four longtime friends decided to undergo vasectomies as a group in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.

Grain-gobbling bears spark 'no stopping' zone in Banff National Park

A popular highway in Alberta's Banff National Park now has a 'no stopping zone' to help protect two bears.

Deer family appears to accept B.C. man as one of their own

B.C. resident Robert Conrad spent thousands of hours on Crown land developing an unusual bond with deer.

Doorbell video shows family of black bears scared off by dog in Sudbury, Ont.

A Sudbury woman said her husband was bringing the recycling out to the curb Wednesday night when he had to make a 'mad dash' inside after seeing a bear.

Quebec teacher fired after taking leave to be on 'Survivor' reality TV series

A school teacher who took part in the Quebec version of the Survivor reality TV show took time off work to be a contestant is now out of a job.

Young P.E.I. actor fulfills childhood dream to play Anne Shirley

A young actor from Prince Edward Island is getting the chance to fulfill a childhood dream, playing the precocious and iconic Anne Shirley on stage.

From beginner to Olympian: Meet Canada's youngest male to fence on the world stage

Nicholas Zhang, 17, will be competing at the Paris Olympics in July. He is the youngest Canadian male fencer to ever compete in the category.

'It was surreal': Ontario mother gives birth to son on day of solar eclipse

For many, Monday's total solar eclipse will become a distant memory or collection of photos to scroll through in the years to come. But for Alannah Duarte and her family, they'll be reminded of the rare celestial event every year they celebrate their youngest son's birthday, as he was born on the day of the momentous occasion.

Couple lucky to be alive after piece of Montreal highway crashes into their windshield

A Montreal couple is having a hard time driving without stress and is unhappy with the city's maintenance after a chunk of highway crashed into their windshield while driving on Thursday night.

prince harry last visit to queen

B.C. woman facing steep medical bills, uncertain future after Thailand crash

The family of a Victoria, B.C., woman who was seriously injured in an accident in Thailand is pleading for help as medical bills pile up.

As B.C. marks grim anniversary, advocates call for more urgent action

Last summer, Jessica Michalofsky ran from Nelson to Victoria, raising awareness about the toxic drug crisis that claimed her son Aubrey’s life. Nearly a year later, she's disappointed by the lack of movement on the crisis, as more families lose loved ones.

Diverging views emerge on Vancouver home construction outlook

A Vancouver real estate services firm is pushing back against the widely held view that not enough homes are being built in Metro Vancouver.

prince harry last visit to queen

Toronto cyclist Vlad Zotov remembered with memorial ride, ghost bike installation

Hundreds of cyclists came together Monday evening to remember a well-known and long-time member of Toronto’s cycling community.

prince harry last visit to queen

Academics, rural municipalities raise concerns about Alberta's Bill 18

Alberta legislation pitched to protect provincial priorities could slow down grant funding and allow federal money to be spent elsewhere, say officials representing rural municipalities and faculty members at post-secondary institutions.

Okotoks, Alta., family faces limited options as two young children battle rare genetic disorder

A young Okotoks, Alta., family is preparing for a long year ahead, as the first of their two children begins a stem cell transplant they hope will prolong her life.

Calgary now has a safe surrender site for babies

The cradle is an anonymous drop-off site where an infant can be left in a heated, secured bed, signalling a silent alarm which informs staff.

'All persons involved' in incident that led to death of teen in Centretown park identified by police

Ottawa police say no suspects are being sought in the death of a teenager in an Ottawa park last Friday, but are offering few details on the circumstances of the incident.

prince harry last visit to queen

'They were coming to save us': Inquest opens into deaths of two Quebec firefighters

Linda Simard says her husband frantically told her to call 911 as he watched two volunteer firefighters get swept away in rushing floodwaters in Quebec's Charlevoix region last year.

Raymond scores in OT as Red Wings clip Canadiens 5-4 to keep playoff hopes alive

Lucas Raymond scored 4:35 into overtime after he scored a game-tying goal with 1:17 left in regulation, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 comeback win over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night that keeps their playoff hopes alive.

Worker seriously injured after fall at Olympic Stadium

A man is fighting for his life after falling about 30 feet in an air duct at the Olympic Stadium on Monday, authorities say.

prince harry last visit to queen

Tickets issued after large, unleashed dog spotted in front of home where boy was killed by dogs

Two tickets were issued after an unleashed dog was seen in front of a home where a boy died in a dog attack earlier this month.

Alberta committed to reviewing treatment of trans youth, Smith says in exclusive interview

In an exclusive interview with CTV News Edmonton on Monday, the premier said a study out of the United Kingdom, the Cass Review, echoes some of her concerns in regards to a lack of scientific rigor when it comes to puberty blockers.

Alberta announces wage offer for government workers during collective bargaining

The Alberta government is offering a 7.5-per-cent wage increase in the midst of collective bargaining, with government workers calling for a 26-per-cent bump.

prince harry last visit to queen

Youth hospitalized after stabbing: Halifax police

Police are looking for a youth who allegedly stabbed another youth in Halifax on Monday morning.

Friday and weekend rain totals

A low pressure system brought a series of weather fronts across the Maritimes on Friday and into the start of the weekend.

21 people arrested at pro-Palestinian demonstration in Halifax: police

Halifax Regional Police has arrested and charged 21 people at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in downtown Halifax Monday morning.

Overland flood warning issued for parts of Manitoba

An approaching low-pressure system that could bring 50 millimetres of mixed precipitation has triggered a flood warning for parts of Manitoba.

Lights, camera, action! Extras Casting Underway for Ke Huy Quan movie in Winnipeg

If you’ve ever felt the allure of Hollywood and wanted to be in a big-budget movie your time to shine is now.

prince harry last visit to queen

Sask. NDP, advocates call for full reopening of Moose Jaw hyperbaric chamber

Moose Jaw's hyperbaric chamber has now partially resumed services after being discontinued in 2021 due pandemic related staffing shortages. However, only one patient is currently being treated leading to criticism over a perceived lack of service.

Regina's Jon Ryan to retire a Seahawk

Regina's Jon Ryan is set to sign a one-day contract with the Seattle Seahawks tomorrow officially bringing to an end his pro-football career.

prince harry last visit to queen

Driveway paving scammers reported in Waterloo Region

Cambridge resident Samantha Falkiner explains why something felt "off" about the men who approached her and her neighbours on Friday.

Police search home after man injured with explosive

Police are searching a residence just east of downtown Guelph after a man went to hospital with injuries from a homemade explosive device.

Police investigate double fatal collision near Drayton

Wellington County OPP is currently investigating a double fatal collision near Drayton.

prince harry last visit to queen

Saskatoon Muslim community mourns teen killed in high-speed crash

Friends are raising money for the grieving family of a 16-year-old Saskatoon boy who was killed in a high-speed crash that injured two other teens on Sunday morning.

Sask. struggling to recruit and retain specialists, doctor says

Dr. Ana-Maria Bosonea is the only allergist in Saskatoon seeing children under 12, and now she’s moving to Alberta.

Saskatoon residents can expect some odour from city landfill as gas well project expands

The city says there may be some odour emanating from the landfill in the coming weeks as crews dig new gas wells and piping to collect more methane from decomposing waste.

Northern Ontario

prince harry last visit to queen

Northern Ont. man acquitted of murder on James Bay coast

A northern Ontario family is devastated after a jury found a Moose Factory man not guilty of a 2021 murder.

Evidence from broken cellphone highlighted during triple murder trial in Sudbury

A digital forensics analyst testified Monday in Sudbury at the trial of Liam Stinson, who is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection to an April 2021 firebombing.

Thunder Bay police chief vows to rebuild eroding trust after ex-chief arrested

The Thunder Bay police chief is acknowledging some residents' eroding trust in the service as his predecessor and other high-ranking members of the force face criminal charges.

prince harry last visit to queen

Council to discuss pilot project for high school bus pass program

A motion going to city council Tuesday could be the first step in approving a pilot project that would approve bus passes for students in grade nine at Clarke Road Secondary school.

Coyotes becoming less fearful of humans in wake of attack, wildlife expert says

Multiple warnings have been issued about the dangers of coyotes and potential wild dogs following a weekend attack that left one person seriously injured.

'Addressing our housing concerns': Developer plans to turn unused parking lot at White Oaks Mall into apartment towers

When Westdell Development acquired White Oaks Mall last year, President Iyman Meddoui said they always had the vision of adding additional commercial and residential components.

prince harry last visit to queen

Family of man killed in Wasaga Beach crash seeks justice as case sees more delays

It's been more than two years since Jim Lynne died in a crash along Mosley Street in Wasaga Beach.

Street sign honouring Chase McEachern's legacy has gone missing again

A street sign in Barrie, renamed to honour 11-year-old Chase McEachern's legacy after he died in 2006, has gone missing again from an alleyway at the heart of the city's waterfront.

Kashechewan First Nation preparing for mass evacuation amid flood threat

The residents of Kashechewan First Nation are in a race against time, preparing for a mass evacuation as the relentless threat of flooding from the Albany River looms closer.

prince harry last visit to queen

Porch pirate suspect sought in Walkerville area

Windsor police are looking for a woman after a parcel was taken from a home in the 400 block of Chilver Road.

First Canadian tornado of 2024 confirmed in Essex County

The first Canadian tornado of 2024 hit Essex County in March, says a report from the Northern Tornadoes Project.

Windsor ranks high on dopest cities list

A new ranking by food delivery platform Uber Eats puts Windsor among the top cities in the province for ordering cannabis.

Vancouver Island

Arctic and offshore patrol vessel hmcs max bernays arrives in cfb esquimalt.

The HMCS Max Bernays made its way into its new home at CFB Esquimalt on Monday after a long journey from Halifax.

prince harry last visit to queen

B.C. to add 240 complex-care housing units throughout province

British Columbia is planning to add 240 new units to its complex-care housing program, providing homes for people with mental-health and addictions challenges that overlap with other serious conditions.

Evacuation of Kelowna, B.C., apartment near construction site extended for two weeks

More than 80 residents from a low-income apartment building in Kelowna, B.C., have learned they won't be able to return to their homes for at least another two weeks.

2 men injured after 'road rage' incident with Dodge Ram driver, Kelowna RCMP say

Mounties are investigating a reported "road rage" incident in Kelowna, B.C., that left two men injured last week.

prince harry last visit to queen

Phillips calls for funding to be reinstated to Lethbridge Elder Abuse Response Network

Lethbridge West MLA Shannon Phillips is calling on the province to reinstate funding for the Lethbridge Elder Abuse Response Network.

Southern Alberta could be alive with the sound of rattlesnakes this weekend: expert

If you’re planning to head to the coulees this weekend to enjoy the nice weather, don’t forget to look down.

Lethbridge police team up with campaign to urge drivers to slow down

With the weather starting to feel like spring is really here, more kids will likely be outside enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures, which organizers of the Slow Your Roll campaign say is a perfect time to re-launch the campaign.

Sault Ste. Marie

prince harry last visit to queen

Sault Downtown Plaza sees big winter turnout

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is expecting a busy summer at the Downtown Plaza. City officials say the plaza is coming off a successful first winter season, which saw large crowds gathering at the outdoor rink.

Soo Greyhounds return home to face Saginaw

The Soo Greyhounds are the talk of the town, as their second-round matchup in the OHL playoffs touches down in the Sault.

Thunder Bay police discuss charges against former chief

Thunder Bay Police Service held a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss the misconduct investigation that led to criminal charges being laid against the city's former police chief.

prince harry last visit to queen

Protest averted as Newfoundland and Labrador premier helps reach pricing deal on crab

A pricing agreement has been reached between crab fishers and seafood processors that will allow for Newfoundland and Labrador's annual crab fishery to get started.

A fish harvester's protest threatens Newfoundland and Labrador's crab season -- again

Longliners across Newfoundland and Labrador are tied up once again, as a new protest by the province's fish harvesters threatens to derail the crab fishery for a second straight year.

Unique photo exhibit put cameras in the hands of survivors of domestic and sexual violence

A unique photo exhibit is putting cameras into the hands of survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Shopping Trends

The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.  Read about us.

Editor's Picks

17 practical things for your backyard that you'll want to order immediately, 19 of the best mother's day gifts under $50, 14 of the best interactive dog toys to stimulate your dog's mind, 19 problem-solving products from amazon canada that cost less than $25, our guide to the best string trimmers in canada in 2024 (and where to get them), our guide to the best air mattresses in canada in 2024 (and where to get them), if your mom needs a bit of rest and relaxation, here are 20 of the best self-care gifts for mother's day, 20 gifts that are so great, you'll want to keep them for yourself, 15 awesome presents to give if you're tired of gift cards, 15 wrinkle-smoothing serums that’ll help reduce the appearance of fine lines, this canadian red light therapy brand is here to give you your best skin ever, 10 of the best dark spot correctors you can get online right now, stay connected.

prince harry last visit to queen

  • Election 2024
  • Entertainment
  • Newsletters
  • Photography
  • Personal Finance
  • AP Investigations
  • AP Buyline Personal Finance
  • Press Releases
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Russia-Ukraine War
  • Global elections
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East
  • Election Results
  • Delegate Tracker
  • AP & Elections
  • March Madness
  • AP Top 25 Poll
  • Movie reviews
  • Book reviews
  • Personal finance
  • Financial Markets
  • Business Highlights
  • Financial wellness
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Social Media

Prince Harry’s visit to see King Charles III didn’t bring reconciliation with William

Visitors to Buckingham Palace reacted to King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis and Prince Harry’s visit to the UK on Wednesday. (Jan. 7)

FILE - Britain's Prince William and Britain's Prince Harry walk beside each other after viewing the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England on Sept. 10, 2022. Prince Harry flew more than 5,000 miles to see his father after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. But he did not see his estranged brother, William, during a visit that lasted scarcely 24 hours. William, meanwhile, returned to public duties for the first time since his wife, Kate, was admitted to a London hospital Jan. 16 for abdominal surgery. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

FILE - Britain’s Prince William and Britain’s Prince Harry walk beside each other after viewing the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England on Sept. 10, 2022. Prince Harry flew more than 5,000 miles to see his father after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. But he did not see his estranged brother, William, during a visit that lasted scarcely 24 hours. William, meanwhile, returned to public duties for the first time since his wife, Kate, was admitted to a London hospital Jan. 16 for abdominal surgery. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

  • Copy Link copied

FILE - Britain’s Prince William, left, and Britain’s Prince Harry speak after viewing the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England on Sept. 10, 2022. Prince Harry flew more than 5,000 miles to see his father after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. But he did not see his estranged brother, William, during a visit that lasted scarcely 24 hours. William, meanwhile, returned to public duties for the first time since his wife, Kate, was admitted to a London hospital Jan. 16 for abdominal surgery. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

A convoy of cars believed to be carrying Prince Harry arrive at Clarence House following the announcement of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis, in London, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. Buckingham Palace announced Monday evening that the king has begun outpatient treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Britain’s Prince William, the Prince of Wales, centre left, awards Edward Harley, Chair of the Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) Panel, with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. The honour recognises services to heritage, to charity and to the community in Herefordshire. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

Suzanne Hutchinson, Chief Executive of Little Hearts Matter, right, is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

Britain’s Prince William, the Prince of Wales, at Windsor Castle during the investitures ceremonies Wedenesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

FILE - From left, Prince William, the Duke of Gloucester, King Charles III, Prince Harry, Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, London on Sept. 14, 2022. Prince Harry flew more than 5,000 miles to see his father after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. But he did not see his estranged brother, William, during a visit that lasted scarcely 24 hours. William, meanwhile, returned to public duties for the first time since his wife, Kate, was admitted to a London hospital Jan. 16 for abdominal surgery. (Jeff J Mitchell/Pool via AP, File)

FILE - Britain’s Prince William, second left, Kate, Princess of Wales, left, Britain’s Prince Harry, second right, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex view the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England on Sept. 10, 2022. Prince Harry flew more than 5,000 miles to see his father after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. But he did not see his estranged brother, William, during a visit that lasted scarcely 24 hours. William, meanwhile, returned to public duties for the first time since his wife, Kate, was admitted to a London hospital Jan. 16 for abdominal surgery. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Jill Lawless reporter the Associated Press posed photo at AP Europe in London, Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry flew more than 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) to see his father after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer . But Harry did not see his estranged brother, William, during a visit that lasted scarcely 24 hours.

The royal brothers remain emotionally and physically an ocean apart.

British media published photos of Harry at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday afternoon, just a day after he arrived at the same airport on a flight from Los Angeles.

He appeared headed back to life in California after a U.K. visit in which he spent less than an hour with his father at Clarence House, the king’s London home. Any meeting between the brothers would typically be confirmed by palace officials.

William, meanwhile, returned to public duties for the first time since his wife, Kate, was admitted to a London hospital on Jan. 16 for abdominal surgery. She spent almost two weeks at the private London Clinic and is recovering at home. William handed out medals to notables and local heroes at a Windsor Castle ceremony in the morning and was due to attend a charity dinner on Wednesday evening for London’s air ambulance service.

Images from the day are more grist for the popular British media tropes: dutiful William, flyaway Harry.

Britain's Prince Harry, center, races for a ball as he plays in the 2024 Royal Salute Polo Challenge to Benefit Sentebale, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Wellington, Fla. Prince Harry, co-founding patron of the Sentebale charity, will play on the Royal Salute Sentebale Team. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Behind that simplistic summary are two royal brothers — bonded in bereavement by the death of their mother, Princess Diana, when William was 15 and Harry was 12 — whose paths have diverged dramatically.

While William, the heir, was destined from birth to be king, Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne behind his brother and William’s three children, has often appeared to struggle with the more ambiguous role of “spare.”

He chose “Spare” as the title of his 2023 memoir , which recounted a lifetime of sibling grievances — from William getting the bigger bedroom at Balmoral Castle to a ferocious argument in which Harry claims William ripped his necklace and knocked him down onto a dog bowl.

In the book, Harry alleged that the British media treated him and his wife, Meghan — also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — as villains compared with virtuous William and Kate, and accused palace officials of lying to protect his elder brother.

The Sussexes cited the media’s racist treatment of Meghan, who is biracial, and a lack of support from the palace as reasons for their decision in 2020 to quit royal duties and move to the U.S.

In an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, the couple portrayed the royal family as indifferent to Meghan’s mental health struggles, and suggested an unnamed family member had made a racist comment to Harry before the birth of their son, Archie. Harry described his relationship with William as “space at the moment.”

The brothers’ interactions since then have been formal, and brief. They were seen temporarily putting their fraught relationship aside to attend the funeral of their grandfather Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in 2021. The pair did not walk side-by-side behind Philip’s coffin, but were pictured chatting and walking together after the service.

In September 2022 the brothers walked side-by-side behind the coffin of their grandmother Queen Elizabeth II before she lay in state. William later said it had evoked memories of doing the same at Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.

Harry traveled to the U.K. for his father’s coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in May. He was assigned to sit two rows behind his brother, arrived at the abbey alone and left alone. The brothers were not seen speaking or even acknowledging each other.

Harry’s campaign to tame Britain’s tabloid press has also placed him at odds with his relatives. He broke from the royal family tradition of not engaging in litigation by filing several lawsuits against the news media for hacking his phone and other privacy violations.

Harry claimed in court filings that Charles had directed palace staff to order him to drop his litigation because it was bad for the family. He also said William had secretly settled his own hacking claims against Rupert Murdoch’s publications for a “huge sum of money” in 2020.

In “Spare,” Harry claims that their father implored them after Philip’s funeral: “Please, boys — don’t make my final years a misery.”

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith said rifts within the royal family would take more than a single visit to heal.

“I don’t think we should engage in too much magical thinking about this,” said Bedell Smith, author of “Prince Charles: Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life.”

“There are some very, very deep, hurts (Harry) has inflicted on the family,” she said. But, she added: “King Charles, by nature, he wants to heal not only the world, but I think his impulse would be to try and heal the family.”

Associated Press writers Brian Melley and Sylvia Hui contributed to this story.

This story has been corrected to reflect that Harry’s visit for his father’s coronation was not his last trip to the U.K.

JILL LAWLESS

  • Search Please fill out this field.
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Newsletters
  • Sweepstakes

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Visit Queen Elizabeth in the U.K. for First Joint Visit Since Moving to U.S.

The couple are heading to the Netherlands this weekend for Prince Harry's fifth Invictus Games

Stephanie Petit is a Royals Editor, Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE.

prince harry last visit to queen

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a stop in the U.K. to visit Queen Elizabeth on their way to the Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who relocated to Meghan's home state of California in 2020, returned to the U.K. together for the first time since March 2020. A spokesperson for the couple confirmed that they visited Harry's grandmother the Queen, 95, who has been staying at Windsor Castle.

The pair are in Europe for Prince Harry's fifth Invictus Games , taking place in the Dutch city of The Hague starting this weekend.

Meghan, 40, has not returned to Europe since March 2020, when she and Prince Harry , 37, carried out their final round of royal engagements before they officially stepped back as working royals at the end of that month.

Prince Harry has returned to the U.K. on two occasions: for his grandfather Prince Philip 's funeral in April 2021 and again to unveil a statue of his late mother Princess Diana alongside older brother Prince William in July 2021. (In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic limiting travel, Meghan gave birth to their daughter Lilibet Diana — named after the Queen's childhood nickname and Harry's mother — in June.)

Can't get enough of PEOPLE 's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton , Meghan Markle and more!

This year's Invictus Games were originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visit with the Queen, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

On Monday, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that Meghan will join Prince Harry for the first several days of the Invictus Games, the international sports competition founded by Harry for wounded service members and veterans.

But it won't be Meghan's first Invictus experience. In 2017, she joined Harry at the Toronto Games , marking the couple's first official appearance together . She was by his side again in 2018 for the Sydney Games, shortly after the couple announced they were expecting their first child, son Archie Harrison.

Related Articles

Prince Harry Visits Queen Elizabeth's Final Resting Place

The Duke of Sussex was spotted in Windsor this morning to pay his respects to his late grandmother.

preview for The Life of Queen Elizabeth II

Yesterday, at the WellChild Awards in London , Prince Harry spoke about Queen Elizabeth, whose death led him to miss last year's award ceremony. "She would have been the first person to insist that I still come to be with you all instead of going to her," he said. "I know, exactly one year on, that she is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we're together continuing to spotlight such an incredible community."

the coffin carrying queen elizabeth ii is transferred from buckingham palace to the palace of westminster

Prince Harry's Invictus Games begin tomorrow in Düsseldorf, Germany, and Meghan is set to join him during the competition. Last year, the Sussexes were in Europe for a series of charity events—including the "One Year to Go" event for the Invictus Games—when Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth was placed under medical supervision.

Prince Harry then rushed to Balmoral to be with his family, but as he later wrote in his memoir, Spare , he found out she died from the BBC. "When the plane started to descend I saw that my phone lit up. It was a message from Meg: 'Call me when you get this.' I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King." Prince Harry and Meghan subsequently remained in the UK for the official mourning period .

Since Queen Elizabeth's funeral , Meghan hasn't returned to the UK, but Harry has been back a few times, including for his father's coronation in May and in June to testify in his phone hacking lawsuit .

Headshot of Emily Burack

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1jdielu:before{margin:0.625rem 0.625rem 0;width:3.5rem;-webkit-filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);height:1.5rem;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-transform:scale(-1, 1);-moz-transform:scale(-1, 1);-ms-transform:scale(-1, 1);transform:scale(-1, 1);background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-1jdielu:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/townandcountrymag/static/images/diamond-header-design-element.80fb60e.svg);}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1jdielu:before{margin:0 0.625rem 0.25rem;}} Royal Family News @media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-128xfoy:before{margin:0.625rem 0.625rem 0;width:3.5rem;-webkit-filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);height:1.5rem;content:'';display:inline-block;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-128xfoy:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/townandcountrymag/static/images/diamond-header-design-element.80fb60e.svg);}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-128xfoy:before{margin:0 0.625rem 0.25rem;}}

sentebale isps handa polo cup 2022

Meghan Cheers on Prince Harry at Polo Match

a couple of men riding horses

Prince Harry Plays Polo in Palm Beach

royal ascot 2018 day 4

How Amanda Thirsk Convinced Andrew to Do Interview

fashion sustainability panel discussion hosted by the us ambassador at her london residence

Eugenie Mastered Transitional Season Style

thanksgiving service for king constantine of the hellenes

Prince Andrew Is Particular About Stuffed Animals

queen sofia

Queen Sofía Is Hospitalized

prince george prince william

Prince William Brings George to a Soccer Match

prince harry meghan markle

Meghan & Harry's Netflix Projects in Development

harry meghan netflix

Meghan & Harry's New Projects at Netflix

royal ascot 2017 day 3 ladies day

Was Andrew Really Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Son?

prince harry mindy kaling

Prince Harry Meets Mindy Kaling

Prince Harry reveals last words to Queen after arriving at deathbed too late

The Duke of Sussex headed to Balmoral when he heard his grandmother the Queen was gravely unwell but did not make it to Scotland in time to say his goodbyes before she died

Prince Harry reveals his last words to the Queen in his new book

  • 05:30, 6 Jan 2023
  • Updated 08:39, 6 Jan 2023

Prince Harry has revealed his final words to the Queen after he arrived at Balmoral hours after her death last year.

Harry, who relocated to California with his wife Meghan Markle in 2020, was in Germany promoting the Invictus Games when they received word that Queen Elizabeth II's health was failing.

However, Harry was unable to make it to Scotland in time to see his 96-year-old grandmother alive for the final time.

In his memoir Spare, which has been leaked after it mistakenly went on sale in Spain ahead of its January 10 release, Harry reveals that on arriving at her deathbed he whispered to the Queen that he “hoped she would be happy”.

He also told her he hoped that she would be with his grandfather, Prince Philip , who had died a year earlier at the age of 99, Page Six reports.

Harry writes fondly of his grandmother, whom his daughter Lilibet is named after, that he “admired her for having fulfilled her duties until the very end”.

After leaving his late grandmother's room at Balmoral, Harry says he called his wife to let her know he had arrived safely in Scotland.

prince harry last visit to queen

Harry and Meghan extended their time in the UK to attend the 10-day period of mourning for the Queen.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex publicly reunited with Prince William and Kate Middleton outside Windsor Castle, sparking hopes that the siblings may be able to repair their relationship.

However, Harry's book casts serious doubts over the chances of that happening with a string of attacks on William.

Harry claims William physically assaulted him after an argument over Meghan and says the Prince and Princess of Wales encouraged him to wear a Nazi uniform to a costume party in 2005.

The new book is available for pre-order here .

MORE ON Meghan Markle The Queen Prince William Prince Harry Royal Family

Get our daily royal round-up direct to your inbox.

Comfy flats, lightweight dresses and more Amazon spring fashion finds — starting at just $10

  • TODAY Plaza
  • Share this —

Health & Wellness

  • Watch Full Episodes
  • Read With Jenna
  • Inspirational
  • Relationships
  • TODAY Table
  • Newsletters
  • Start TODAY
  • Shop TODAY Awards
  • Citi Music Series
  • Listen All Day

Follow today

More Brands

  • On The Show

Prince Harry on ‘great’ surprise visit to see grandmother Queen Elizabeth

Prince Harry shared a few details from his meeting with Queen Elizabeth last week, saying it was “great” to see his grandmother.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex passed through the U.K. on their way to the Netherlands to attend the Invictus Games , paying a surprise visit to the British monarch , who turns 96 this week.

Prince Harry told the B BC that the queen “had plenty of messages for Team U.K.," which he already passed onto "most of them."

"I’m sure she’d love to be here if she could," the prince continued, saying that it was "great" to see her.

Harry, 37, also saw his father, Prince Charles, during his brief visit to the U.K. with his wife, the former Meghan Markle. The couple reportedly traveled from Los Angeles without their children, 10-month-old Lilibet and Archie, who turns 3 next month. 

This was the couple’s first joint visit to the U.K. since announcing they were stepping back from their royal duties and beginning a new life together in California in 2020. 

Prince Harry has made a few solo visits to the U.K. over the past two years, including attending Prince Philip’s funeral last April. He also joined his brother, Prince William, for the unveiling of a statue of their late mother, Princess Diana, at Kensington Palace.

The queen has stepped back from many of her public duties following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in February. She did not attend Easter services with other members of the royal family on Sunday, and she was also absent from the traditional Maundy Thursday service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent Easter weekend at the Invictus Games, a sporting competition for wounded, injured and sick military service members and veterans. 

The couple shared a kiss on stage during the opening ceremony for the Games on Saturday as the crowd applauded.

The prince also shared a sweet anecdote about their son, Archie , noting that the toddler wants to be an astronaut or a pilot when he grows up.

“But what I remind him is that no matter what you want to be when you grow up, it’s your character that matters most, and nothing would make his mum and me prouder than to see him have the character of what we see before us today,” he said .

Prince Harry will open up about life in the United States with the former Megan Markle and their two children — as well as the couple’s surprise visit to the queen — in an upcoming, exclusive interview with TODAY’s Hoda Kotb.

Lindsay Lowe has been a regular contributor to TODAY.com since 2016, covering pop culture, style, home and other lifestyle topics. She is also working on her first novel, a domestic drama set in rural Regency England.

Tue 16 Apr 2024

2024 newspaper of the year

@ Contact us

Your newsletters

Prince Harry reveals the final words he whispered to the Queen on her death bed

The duke of sussex details his last moments with the late monarch in his tell-all memoir, spare.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: (L-R) Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch the RAF flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as members of the Royal Family attend events to mark the centenary of the RAF on July 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince Harry has revealed the final words he spoke to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September .

The Duke of Sussex, who did not reach the Queen’s side before she died, recounts in his book Spare that he whispered to the monarch he “hoped she would be happy” and that she would be reunited with his grandfather, Prince Philip, who died a year earlier .

In the book, Harry also writes that he told the late Queen he admired her for having fulfilled her duties “until the very end” in reference to her participation in celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Spare is not due for official release until 10 January but after The Guardian newspaper obtained a copy of book and published extracts, and it went on sale early by mistake in Spain , a stream of revelations have emerged.

WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 18: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George's Chapel on May 18, 2019 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images)

In his memoir, the Duke recounts calling Meghan after spending his final moments with the Queen, alleging that the Duchess of Sussex was not allowed to join him at Balmoral.

Harry says he received a call from an unknown number on 8 September and the caller was his father who was already at the Queen’s Scottish residence, as her health deteriorated.

“Straight away I wrote to Willy [William] to ask if he and Kate were going to fly there and, if so, when and on what terms. He did not reply,” the Duke writes.

Harry and Meghan were in Europe when the Queen’s condition deteriorated and cancelled plans to attend a charity event due to concerns over the monarch’s health.

More on Prince Harry

Prince Harry loses bid to appeal against decision to downgrade his UK security

But he claims he was told by his father, King Charles, that Meghan should not come to Scotland as members of the Royal Family gathered to be by the Queen in her final moments.

“Nobody’s wife was going to go, not even Kate, he told me, so Meg shouldn’t either,” the Duke writes.

The revelations are among the latest in a series that have been widely reported after extracts from Harry’s memoir leaked on Thursday.

Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace have declined to comment on Prince Harry’s allegations.

Most Read By Subscribers

A look back at the royals in Palm Beach County: When Charles, Diana, Prince Harry visited

Queen elizabeth ii did visit florida, but the royal family had ties to palm beach..

prince harry last visit to queen

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Palm Beach County on Friday, April 12, and headed to the  Grand Champions Polo Club  in Wellington for the Royal Salute Polo Challenge to benefit Sentebale .

This is the second time  Harry, 39, has played polo in Wellington . In 2016, a similar Sentebale charity event was held at Valiente Polo Farms.

Harry is a co-founder of  Sentebale, which works with children in Lesotho and Botswana, in southern Africa, impacted by poverty and health issues like HIV. Sentebale means "forget-me-not" in Sesotho, the language of Lesotho.

Harry was part of a panel Thursday, April 11, at Zaytinya, a restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton in South Beach, to address health and wealth inequity, and also climate challenges facing youth in Africa.

The royal family always seems to make news, even when they visit the United States.

Here's a look back at when members of the royal family visited Palm Beach County.

2016: Prince Harry plays a charity polo match in Wellington

In 2016, Prince Harry, the younger son of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, visited Palm Beach County to play a charity polo match at Valiente Polo Farm in Wellington . 

Queen Elizabeth visits to Florida: Miami wristwatches, crystal palm tree from Tampa among welcome gifts

From the Post archives: Prince Charles bestows royal name, presence to polo club in Florida

1989: Prince of Wales bestows name, presence to polo club north of Palm Beach County

In 1989, the Prince of Wales visited Florida to inaugurate the Windsor Polo and Beach Club. The heir to the British throne lent his presence and his family name — Windsor — to a commercial development owned by friends.

The polo club, 10 miles north of Vero Beach in Indian River County, was the brainchild of Geoffrey and Jorie Kent. He was born in East Africa, she was from Oak Brook, Illinois, and together they owned Abercrombie & Kent, a travel company specializing in expensive trips to exotic places. Geoffrey Kent and the prince had been playing polo together for years and founded the Windsor Park Polo Team in England in 1987.

Following the inauguration of the new club in Vero Beach, Kent and the Prince of Wales played for the Windsor Park Polo Team at the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in Wellington.

1980: Prince of Wales admitted to hospital in West Palm Beach

In 1980, the Prince of Wales was admitted to what is now Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach  after suffering from heat exhaustion. He had spent a rigorous afternoon on horseback on the polo fields of Wellington in 90-degree heat. He was released the next day, flew to Eleuthera in the Bahamas and returned to Wellington a few days later.

1985: Prince Charles, Princess Diana attend controversial event at The Breakers in Palm Beach

In 1985, Prince Charles brought his wife, Diana, Princess of Wales, to Wellington and Palm Beach in a visit marred by controversy over a $5,000-a-head banquet at The Breakers that was to benefit a college in New Mexico.

In a speech at the banquet, the prince chastised critics of the benefit's host, industrialist Armand Hammer. There also was a flap over Patricia Kluge, the ball's co-chair, who resigned after it was revealed that, years earlier, she had posed nude for a British magazine.

The Breakers: Five things you may not know about the Palm Beach luxury resort

1988: Prince Charles visits Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago

Prince Charles returned to Palm Beach County in 1988. He visited Donald Trump's Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago but stayed for two nights in less grandiose surroundings — a horse ranch west of Lake Worth Beach owned by his polo-playing friends Geoffrey and Jorie Kent. There was a wildlife show in Wellington, a luncheon to benefit Friends of the Masai Mara, and a polo match, which, as always, the prince's team won.

Laura Lordi is the digital strategy editor for The Palm Beach Post. Contact Lordi at [email protected] .  Support local journalism. Subscribe today.

Read the Latest on Page Six

  • Entertainment
  • Celebrities
  • Ticket Sales
  • Promoted: What to Watch on Prime Video

King Charles hopes to play ‘peacemaker’ between sons Harry and William during rumored May trip

  • View Author Archive
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

King Charles is hoping to act as a middleman between Prince Harry and Prince William during the Duke of Sussex’s rumored upcoming trip to London.

Harry, 39, has reportedly penciled in a trip to the UK in May to celebrate the  10th anniversary of the Invictus Games .

And it seems as though both camps are looking to put the past behind them , as the monarch, 75, is reportedly considering playing “peacemaker” between the feuding brothers.

King Charles III in a suit and tie attending the Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Palace sources claim that Charles has given Harry the go-ahead about a potential meetup with the Prince of Wales.

“It is very likely that Harry and William will see each other next month and anything is possible. The King will want the brothers to patch things up so it’s more than likely that he could play peacemaker,” a source told Sky News Australia .

“King Charles wants to make a peace deal between Harry and William in his life,” a separate insider told the outlet.

The Post has reached out to Buckingham Palace and reps for the Sussexes for comment.

While  Harry’s rumored trip  is still unconfirmed, it’s believed that celebrations will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral.

It’s unclear if the trip will be yet another solo venture, following hot on the heels of his mad dash to his home soil in February.

Prince William and Prince Harry unveiling a statue of their mother, Princess Diana, at The Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace.

It’s believed that the Duke did not see William, the heir to the throne, during  his blink-and-you-miss-it 24-hour trip to London  last month.

What’s more,  Harry stayed at a luxe London hotel  rather than with family at one of their many royal residences peppered across the country.

The Waleses have had a yearslong rift with the Sussexes, but last month it was reported that the pair may be looking to  bury the hatchet once and for all .

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, smiling as they arrive at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on July 18, 2022

The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly  asked the Sussexes to bring their children  with them the next time they visit the UK, but apparently, Markle has politely passed up on the offer . Sources, however, deny the new report.

Archie and Lilibet last visited the UK during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.

Markle, for her part, last returned to England for the Queen’s funeral service in September that year.

Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry posing together during a skiing holiday in Klosters, Switzerland, in 2005

It may be tricky to see the Sussexes return to the UK together, especially after  Harry lost his bid for taxpayer-funded UK security protection  for his family.

This now means that the duo will have to pay out of pocket for their family’s security when visiting the UK.

Share this article:

King Charles III in a suit and tie attending the Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Advertisement

prince harry last visit to queen

prince harry last visit to queen

Prince Harry Had 7 Words for Meghan Markle About Their Upcoming UK Trip

P rince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to make their first trip to the United Kingdom as a couple since 2022. The last time the Duchess of Sussex stepped foot in Harry’s home country was back in September 2022 when the two attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral .

Now, Harry and Meghan are returning, and rumor has it that Harry uttered one seven-word phrase to his wife to convince her to accompany him on the trip.

Meghan Markle has always been supportive of Harry’s Invictus Games

Although Meghan might not love traveling to the UK , she has been a staunch supporter of all of Harry’s business and charitable ventures since the two met. She has traveled around the world with Harry for his Invictus Games, and now, the two are set to attend a ceremony for the event to be held in the UK on May 8.

However, it isn’t so easy for Meghan to return to Great Britain. The duchess had a difficult time being accepted by Harry’s country, with the media often portraying her in a negative light. But a source close to the couple said it only took seven words to convince Meghan to make the trip: “I don’t want to do this alone.”

A source told Express that Harry expressed his thoughts to Meghan, and it supposedly solidified her appearance. But the source adds that the question remains whether the couple’s kids will join them. “The situation is now about whether the family should attend with increased security or Harry should go it alone.” Harry recently lost a lawsuit against Britain’s Home Office regarding taxpayer-funded security, and his biggest qualm with bringing his family to the UK has been that he’s worried his wife and children won’t be safe. Harry and Meghan have private security in the United States.

New Details Leaked of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Upcoming UK Visit — Including Time With the Royal Family

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip could present great opportunities

Harry and Meghan’s choice to visit the UK together comes at the perfect time to mend the royal rift. Some things are greater than arguments, and both King Charles’ and Kate Middleton’s health situations might be just enough to convince Harry and his brother, Prince William, to make amends. Harry and William have not spoken much in the last few years, though there have been rumors that Kate’s cancer diagnosis has changed that.

We likely won’t officially know whether Harry’s whole family will join him in the UK until the day they arrive. And even then, they might keep Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet entirely out of the spotlight, leaving people to wonder whether they’re there or not. But the world is certainly hoping that the trip helps to heal the wounds between Harry and the rest of his family.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Toby Melville/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry 'eager to return to London' to help royal family amid health crises

Is a part-time working royal role on the cards.

Prince William at High Court

The Duke of Sussex is said to be "eager to return to London" to help "take up some of the slack" as the royal family faces low resources, amid King Charles and Princess Kate 's cancer diagnoses . 

In an exclusive interview with HELLO! Canada , Christopher Andersen, author of The King: The Life of Charles III , argued that Prince Harry is looking forward to coming back to the UK next month for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games – and that he believes Harry would be open to the idea of working as a part-time royal.

"In fact, he's eager to return to London and help take up some of the slack now that the medical issues of the King and the Princess of Wales have thrown the monarchy into a state of crisis," the author told HELLO! Canada contributor Chris Daniels.

HELLO! Canada cover

He also believes it would be in the King's best interests to grant the Duke and Duchess of Sussex the part-time roles they had originally asked for. 

Harry and Meghan's children

"If they could all put these perceived slights and resentments behind them, Harry and Meghan could be hugely valuable assets to the monarchy at a time when it could use all the help it can get."

Prince Harry in red jacket and Meghan in red caped dress

However, even if Harry is ready for reconciliation, his closest family members might not be.

Given just 45 minutes with his father after he flew to the UK following news of the King's cancer diagnosis in February, Harry also asked to meet with his brother, "but William refused," said Christopher, who maintains "bitterness" still exists between the brothers since Harry released his take-no-prisoners memoir Spare in 2023.

LISTEN: Inside Princess Kate's private lunch with King Charles amid cancer announcement

"Keep in mind that the Prince of Wales is saddled with the enormous responsibility of holding both his family and the monarchy together while his wife and father cope with their serious medical issues.

"He simply doesn't have the bandwidth to deal with the baggage that inevitably accompanies Harry.

"Having the 'spare' back in the royal fold would simply be an enormous distraction, despite his good intentions."

The full interview is out in HELLO! Canada, which hits stands on Thursday. 

LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!

Princess Kate wearing black and white polka dots and a hat

If you are reading this, the chances are you are obsessed with all things royalty – which is just as well because so are we! So obsessed, in fact, we’ve launched a club solely dedicated to covering them. So welcome to The HELLO! Royal Club . We would love you to join us there…

What is it?

Interactive community offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive royal interviews, unmissable royal insights, and an illustrious royal  Inner Circle .

Member benefits

  • Two weekly newsletters, one from  Emily Nash
  • Video posts and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
  • Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club writers and members
  • Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
  • Access to our Ask Me Anything sessions with our journalists
  • Invitations to in-person and virtual events
  • A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! Magazine (Worth £82 annually)*
  • Future ‘Inner Circle’ benefits

By royal decree

You are royally invited to join The HELLO! Royal Club – and then to go forth and spread the word to your fellow royal fans. See you in the club!

  • Prince Harry
  • British Royals

More Royalty

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's best kisses in 7 sweet photos

Gallery Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's best kisses in 7 sweet photos

Prince Harry loses bid to appeal in latest High Court case over UK security

Prince Harry loses bid to appeal in latest High Court case over UK security

Prince Harry's best friend Nacho Figueras shares sweet 'hopes' for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - exclusive

Prince Harry's best friend Nacho Figueras shares sweet 'hopes' for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - exclusive

All the times Prince Harry has teared up in public with Meghan Markle

Gallery All the times Prince Harry has teared up in public with Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle kisses Prince Harry as he wins charity polo match in Florida

Meghan Markle kisses Prince Harry as he wins charity polo match in Florida

When will Princess Lilibet wear her first tiara?

When will Princess Lilibet wear her first tiara?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make major announcement ahead of polo appearance

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make major announcement ahead of polo appearance

Royal pets you never knew existed: From Prince William's furry rabbit to Prince Edward's surprising tortoise

Royal pets you never knew existed: From Prince William's furry rabbit to Prince Edward's surprising tortoise

Gallery which royals are godparents prince william, zara tindall, prince harry and more, prince archie has dad prince harry's identical cheeky smile in rare photo, inside the duke of westminster's unique childhood, ancestral home and his close-knit family, are prince harry and meghan markle planning uk trip with archie and lilibet next month.

Recommended

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to copy URL

Prince Harry lines up London trip after not speaking to Prince William, Kate Middleton for a year

  • View Author Archive
  • Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Prince Harry is set to return to the UK in just a few weeks — sparking questions over whether he will finally see Prince William and cancer-stricken Kate Middleton , after not speaking to his brother in more than a year. 

The Duke of Sussex, 39, is slated to speak at a special service marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, the Olympics-style contest for wounded service personnel which he founded, at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 8. 

The potential visit comes as it was revealed Monday that Harry has lost an initial bid to appeal against a High Court ruling over his personal security in the UK.

Meghan Markle gives Prince Harry a kiss as she hands over a polo trophy.

In February, he lost his legal challenge against the Home Office’s decision to change the level of his personal security when he visits the UK as he’s no longer a working royal.

A well-placed source said, “Everyone is asking whether Harry will see his father and will he see Kate and the Wales kids — if not his brother?” 

Harry has spent the past few days in Florida with his wife, Meghan Markle, 42, where they were seen canoodling as they made their new polo show for Netflix. However, she is not expected to join Harry in the UK.

Harry founded the Invictus Games to help wounded servicemen and women, and the British Government has now launched a £26million bid to host the games in Birmingham in 2027.

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate Middleton watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 2018.

They were most recently held in Düsseldorf, Germany last summer and have also been hosted by cities including Orlando, Florida, in 2016 and Sydney, Australia, in 2018.

The timing of next month’s visit could well allow Harry to see his father, King Charles, who is also battling cancer, and potentially Kate and his nephews, Prince George and Prince Louis, and niece Princess Charlotte.

Kate Middleton watches tennis with Meghan Markle.

Harry is keen to mend ties with his family and jetted more than 5000 miles from his home in California to see his dad in London after it was revealed he was sick back in February – spending just 40 minutes with him.

A source in the Sussex crowd said, “I can imagine that Harry may see his father, and check in, but things are still very fraught with William, this is the real problem.”

William and Harry have not spoken for more than a year in the wake of Harry’s bombshell memoir, alongside hurtful claims that Charles and Kate were the “racist” royals who asked what color Harry and Meghan’s children would be.

Prince William and Prince Harry share a joke together, dressed in flight jumpsuits.

While Harry was told about his father’s illness before it was made public, both he and his wife were kept in the dark about Kate’s medical crisis and found out at the same time as the rest of the world, sources told Page Six.

“We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement. They also are believed to have reached out directly to William and Kate.

Prince Harry smiling with his hands joined together in apparent prayer.

We revealed how Charles is set to invite the Sussexes’ and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the Scottish royal estate, Balmoral, this summer as he is desperate to see his grandchildren.

However, the Suxxeses and the Wales could visit separately.

Reps for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were unavailable for comment.

Share this article:

Meghan Markle gives Prince Harry a kiss as she hands over a polo trophy.

Advertisement

prince harry last visit to queen

IMAGES

  1. King Charles, William and Harry 'Deeply Affected' at Queen's Funeral

    prince harry last visit to queen

  2. Prince Harry’s Cutest Moments With the Queen Through the Years in 2020

    prince harry last visit to queen

  3. Touching moment Prince Harry is caught looking over at the Queen at

    prince harry last visit to queen

  4. Prince Harry Meets With Queen Elizabeth II Amid Royal Exit

    prince harry last visit to queen

  5. Prince Harry's reveals last words to the Queen on her deathbed

    prince harry last visit to queen

  6. Prince William says Queen's Procession evoked heartbreaking memories of

    prince harry last visit to queen

VIDEO

  1. Prince Harry visits London for WellChild Awards on the eve of anniversary of Queen's death

  2. Royals unite: Harry and Meghan join William and Kate in tribute to Queen

  3. Prince Harry Cries During Queen Elizabeth's Service

  4. Prince Harry: Charles 'was there for us' when Diana died

  5. Prince Harry Says Royals Excluded Him From Flight to Queen's Deathbed

  6. Prince Harry Arrives to King Charles' Coronation

COMMENTS

  1. Prince Harry says he is making sure the Queen is protected

    Prince Harry dropped in to see his grandmother with wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on the way to the Invictus Games in the Netherlands last week. ... Describing the visit to see the Queen, which ...

  2. Inside Prince Harry's "Very Special" Visit to London, Where He Honored

    And this Friday, Prince Harry visited St. George's Chapel in Windsor, where he privately paid his respects to Queen Elizabeth on the anniversary of her death. The duke was photographed by a ...

  3. Prince Harry Shares Heartwarming Moment of Queen Elizabeth's Last Visit

    In a resurfaced excerpt from his memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry opened up about the late Queen Elizabeth II's final visit with his children, Archie and Lilibet, revealing a touching moment that showcased the strong bond between the monarch and her great-grandchildren. Despite the family feud that ...

  4. Prince Harry says security issues remain after recent trip to see queen

    Britain's Prince Harry said he made sure that Queen Elizabeth had the "right people around her" and was "protected" when he met the British monarch during a rare visit to Europe last week and that ...

  5. Prince Harry and Meghan visit Queen Elizabeth : NPR

    Stefan Jeremiah/AP. LONDON — Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have visited Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on their first joint visit to the U.K. since they gave up formal royal roles and ...

  6. Queen Elizabeth: Prince Harry on his surprise visit

    Harry has made solo trips to the U.K. to attend the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Philip, in April 2021 and to unveil a statue of his late mother Princess Diana last July.

  7. Prince Harry wants to 'protect' Queen and ensure 'right people' are

    During an interview with US network NBC's Today Show , Prince Harry, who met the Queen for tea last week, ... The duke's visit to the UK is his third since March 2020.

  8. Prince Harry says he may return to U.K. for queen's jubilee, but

    Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, met with Queen Elizabeth II last week. Samir Hussein / WireImage Harry told Kotb the queen had appeared in "great form" following a bout of Covid .

  9. Prince Harry, Meghan make surprise visit to Queen

    The couple have made a surprise trip to the U.K. to visit Queen Elizabeth, Harry's grandmother. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have visited Queen Elizabeth at Windsor ...

  10. Prince Harry Talks About Visit with Queen Elizabeth Ahead of Invictus Games

    Prince Harry says it was "great" to see his grandmother Queen Elizabeth . Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stopped in the U.K. for a visit with the monarch, 95, at Windsor Castle last week as the ...

  11. Prince Harry, Meghan make surprise visit to Queen at Windsor

    Published April 14, 2022 2:58 p.m. PDT. LONDON -. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have visited Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, on their first joint visit to the U.K. since they gave up ...

  12. Prince Harry's visit to see King Charles III didn't bring

    LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry flew more than 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) to see his father after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. But Harry did not see his estranged brother, William, during a visit that lasted scarcely 24 hours. The royal brothers remain emotionally and physically an ocean apart.

  13. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Visit Queen on Way to Invictus Games

    Published on April 14, 2022 04:56PM EDT. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a stop in the U.K. to visit Queen Elizabeth on their way to the Invictus Games. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who ...

  14. Harry and Meghan's surprise visit gives royals a chance to ...

    The death of the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, brought Harry back to Britain for the funeral. And soon after that visit, Harry and Meghan's second child was born.

  15. Prince Harry Visits Queen Elizabeth's Final Resting Place

    The Duke of Sussex was spotted in Windsor this morning to pay his respects to his late grandmother. In memory of Queen Elizabeth on the one year anniversary of her death, Prince Harry visited St ...

  16. Prince Harry reveals last words to Queen after arriving at deathbed too

    Bookmark. Prince Harry has revealed his final words to the Queen after he arrived at Balmoral hours after her death last year. Harry, who relocated to California with his wife Meghan Markle in ...

  17. Prince Harry on Surprise Visit to See Grandmother Queen Elizabeth

    Prince Harry shared a few details from his meeting with Queen Elizabeth last week, saying it was "great" to see his grandmother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex passed through the U.K. on their ...

  18. Harry arrives in London after King's cancer diagnosis

    Last night, Prince Harry said he would travel back to the UK after Buckingham Palace announced his father's cancer diagnosis. A photo earlier showed him arriving at Clarence House, the King's ...

  19. Harry and Meghan make secret visit to see Queen, the first in two years

    Rob Harris. London: Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have made a secret visit to Britain for their first face-to-face meeting as a couple with the Queen in more than two years. The Duke and ...

  20. Prince Harry reveals the final words he whispered to the Queen on her

    Queen Elizabeth with Prince Harry and Meghan in July 2018. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Europe when the Queen's condition deteriorated last year (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images) In ...

  21. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, King Charles in Palm Beach County

    Queen Elizabeth II did visit Florida, but the royal family had ties to Palm Beach. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Palm Beach County on Friday, April 12, and headed to the Grand ...

  22. King Charles hopes to play 'peacemaker' between Harry, William at

    Markle, for her part, last returned to England for the Queen's funeral service in September that year. 4 The feuding brothers have been at odds ever since Harry and his wife quit royal life in 2020.

  23. Prince Harry Had 7 Words for Meghan Markle About Their Upcoming ...

    The last time the Duchess of Sussex stepped foot in Harry's home country was back in September 2022 when the two attended Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. Now, Harry and Meghan are returning, and ...

  24. Prince Harry 'eager to return to London' in part-time working royal

    Toronto. Share this: The Duke of Sussex is said to be "eager to return to London" to help "take up some of the slack" as the royal family faces low resources, amid King Charles and Princess Kate ...

  25. Will Prince Harry speak to Prince William in London?

    7. Prince Harry has not spoken to his brother Prince William is more than a year - but his sister-in-law Kate Middleton is now battling cancer. Getty Images. They were most recently held in ...