Prince Harry has officially filled up his calendar. On September 21, he’ll attend the WellChild Awards in London, an event he’s supported as patron since 2007 and one he’s called“a privilege”every single year. From there, he’s set to appear at the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards and the launch of INSPIRE, the new Invictus education program. Then it’s off to New York for the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting on September 22 and 23. These mark his first public engagements since he and Meghan Markle relocated back to the U.K.
The events themselves are classic Harry territory: charities he founded or has championed for years. But the backdrop is messier. A royal household letter on behalf of King Charles III described the couple as private citizens with commercial and charitable interests, effectively confirming their non-working royal status. A spokesperson for the Sussexes said the framing came as a surprise, which adds another layer to the ongoing question of where exactly they stand within the monarchy.
So is this a soft royal return or simply a man doing charity work on his own terms? The palace’s wording suggests one answer, the packed schedule suggests another. Either way, September 21 through 23 is going to be a busy stretch for royal watchers.
What do you think: should Harry’s charity work count as royal duties, or is it a separate lane entirely?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.