Prince Harry will return to the United Kingdom on the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death

Prince Harry, 38, will deliver a speech at the WellChild Awards in London on September 7, marking the first anniversary of Elizabeth II's death. He will be in the UK for the September 8 anniversary of his grandmother's death before flying to Dusseldorf for the Invictus Games, which begin on September 9. Harry is not expected to see the King, who will be at Balmoral, or his brother Prince William, with whom he has not been in contact for many months. He will not be accompanied by Meghan, who will fly straight to Dusseldorf from California a few days later.

For the first time since moving abroad, Harry will be forced to ask permission from Buckingham Palace for accommodation, having been evicted from Frogmore Cottage, his Windsor home, earlier this summer. While on UK soil, the Duke must request access to an apartment on one of the royal estates, such as Windsor, or stay with friends or at a hotel. The King agreed to provide alternative accommodation when the Sussexes were evicted from Frogmore.

Harry will be accompanied on his brief trip by his private security team, as he is no longer entitled to automatic police protection when in the UK. By the time he arrives, the Prince and Princess of Wales will have returned to their Windsor home after the summer holidays. The new school term for their three children begins on September 6.

The couple will conduct a public engagement outside London on September 8, during which they will acknowledge the anniversary of the Queen's death. The Duke has been patron of WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children, for 15 years and was one of the few private patronages he retained when he stepped back from royal duties. Last year's award ceremony took place on September 8, the day of the Queen's death.

This year, he will present the award for most inspirational child aged between four and six and deliver a speech. He will spend time with each winner and their families at a pre-ceremony reception, listening to their stories. The Duke said that WellChild has been transforming the lives of children and young people across the UK, providing critical care that prioritizes the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of these individuals and their families.

Matt James, the chief executive of WellChild, said the award ceremony provided a unique opportunity to shine a light on the challenges faced by the growing number of children and young people in the UK living with long-term, complex medical needs. He also said it would celebrate their "remarkable resilience and spirit" and recognize the dedication of those who care for them.