Prince Harry is set to return to the United Kingdom for the first time since visiting his father, King Charles III, after his cancer diagnosis was made public earlier this year. He will attend a thanksgiving service for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games Foundation in London on May 8. The Duke of Sussex will give a reading during the service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, while actor Damian Lewis will recite a poem. It is unclear if Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, will be accompanying him on the trip from California where they live with their two children.
The prince created the Invictus Games, a sporting event for military personnel wounded in action, in 2014. The ceremony next month will mark a “decade of changing lives and saving lives through sport,” according to a spokesperson for the Invictus Games. The news of Harry’s visit comes shortly after Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles III will resume public engagements next week. The palace stated that the King’s cancer treatment has shown progress, and doctors remain positive about his continued recovery.
Harry made a quick visit to his father’s Clarence House residence in London in February, following the news of the king’s diagnosis. Harry had spoken with his father about the diagnosis before leaving the U.S. Buckingham Palace stated that the king personally informed Harry and his brother William, as well as his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward about his health. In addition to the king’s health battle, there was also troubling news regarding Catherine, the Princess of Wales, also known as Kate Middleton. She announced that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy following abdominal surgery in January. Harry and Meghan issued a statement expressing well wishes for Kate and her family during this challenging time.
Overall, this news highlights the personal struggles faced by members of the British royal family, as King Charles III battles cancer and Kate Middleton undergoes health treatment. It also underscores Prince Harry’s continued involvement with the Invictus Games Foundation, a cause he is passionate about. His upcoming trip to the UK for a special anniversary event for the foundation reflects his ongoing dedication to supporting and honoring wounded military personnel. The anticipation surrounding Harry’s visit and his participation in the thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral adds to the significance of the event and the impact of the Invictus Games Foundation’s work over the past decade.
