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Prince Harry told reporters it is ‘great’ to be back in the UK while attending an event for a children’s charity, hours before he is joined by Meghan as the pair fly to Nigeria for a three-day tour.
Speaking yesterday while visiting London for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity for bereaved military children, Harry was asked by BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph: ‘Nice to have you back. How is it being here?’
The Duke of Sussex, 39, responded that it was ‘great’ to be back – although he has not been able to see his father King Charles, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts.
It comes as Harry prepares to fly to Nigeria for a three-day trip on invitation from the country’s chief of defence staff.
Meghan will fly to the west African nation from California, where she has stayed with the couple’s two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was pictured chatting and playing games with bereaved military children as he made an unexpected visit to Scotty’s Little Soldiers in London
Harry looked in high spirits as he posed for selfies with people from the event
Harry and Meghan are set to arrive in Nigeria later today, after being invited by the country’s chief of defence staff
During the unexpected visit to Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity which supports children who have experienced the death of a military parent, Harry took part in games with the children and said it was an ‘honour’ to meet with affected families.
Speaking to the BBC, he was asked if it is nice to be back in the UK.
Harry said: ‘It’s great. Just as the lights turned off, perfect timing. It’s great, it’s amazing.
‘What Scotty’s is doing with these kids is absolutely incredible, and very needed as well. And the more opportunity we get to do these kind of events, the more that families and kids up and down the country know that Scotty’s exists, which is really the most important thing.’
Ms Relph asked him: ‘How many Maltesers did you eat off the floor?’
Harry replied: ‘Er, you guys probably know better than I do, but at least three. I think by that point it started getting a little bit weird.’
As he walked away, Ms Relph said: ‘And nice to be back in the UK?’ And Harry said: ‘Yeah, it’s great. Nice to see you.’
Around 50 children and young people between the ages of six and 22 were at the charity during his visit.
The Duke said: ‘It was an honour to meet so many of the wonderful families Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports.
‘I have long believed in the mission of this charity, and I truly believe the work they do to foster community and create space for young people to connect, grieve, but also have fun together is life-changing.
‘I am a huge supporter of their work, and very proud to be their first global ambassador.’
Prince Harry was seen arriving at Heathrow on Friday morning ahead of his flight to Nigeria, where he will be joined by his wife Meghan
Harry was snapped enjoying games with children and young adults from the charity on an unofficial visit
At one point the Duke was seen using a straw to transport Smarties as quickly as possible during a task
Video footage showed the Prince having fun with children and young people who have experienced the death of a service parent
The prince travelled to the UK to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, which he founded to allow injured servicemen and women to compete in sports events against others from around the world.
While in Nigeria Harry and Meghan will visit a school and meet injured service members at a military hospital.
They will also visit charity Nigeria: Unconquered, which collaborates with the Invictus Games, attending a training session and a polo fundraiser.
The Duchess of Sussex is also set to co-host co-host an event of Women in Leadership with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director general of the World Trade Organisation.
It is the couple’s first trip to Africa since 2019, when they visited South Africa, Malawi, Angola and Botswana in what would become their last tour as working members of the royal family. They will arrive in Nigeria later today.
During his whistles-stop trip home, Harry did not meet with the King or his brother Prince William. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Sussexes said this was due to his father’s ‘full programme’.
Yesterday King Charles – who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer – met military staff and their families at a training base for the Army’s Royal Engineers in Surrey.
Queen Camilla was busy hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the 90th anniversary of Brooke, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys, and mules.
The former senior royal was snapped listening to children and young adults speak about their experiences
The Duke laughs at one of the girls trying to get a piece of chocolate off her face
King Charles III during a visit to Gibraltar Barracks in Minley, Hampshire, on Thursday as his son Prince Harry remained in London
Queen Camilla was pictured speaking to Angela Rippon (right) as she hosted a reception to mark the 90th anniversary of animal charity Brooke
Harry’s brother Prince William was in Cornwall on Thursday, meeting locals and visiting land he hopes to turn into housing to help the homeless
The Prince of Wales, whose relationship with his brother appears increasingly strained, travelled to Cornwall where he visited a plot of land he hopes will help to tackle the homelessness crisis.
William, who took over the £1.2 billion Duchy of Cornwall estate when his father became King and made him Prince of Wales, is in the process of building its first ever housing project to help address homelessness in Nansledan.
Both he and King Charles have recently returned to official duties after a series of health scares for the royals – after both Charles and Kate, the Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer.
Harry’s spokesman said yesterday: ‘In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
‘The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.’
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