Prince Harry leaves UK to reunite with Meghan Markle after whirlwind visit and Royal Family snub

Prince Harry has left the UK in order to be reunited with wife Meghan Markle after a short trip to the UK, which saw him attend a special service for his Invictus Games – but there was no meeting with any of his royal relatives

Prince Harry has left the UK to reunite with Meghan Markle after a whistlestop trip to his home country.

The Duke of Sussex left London and will travel to Nigeria, where he and Meghan will undertake a tour of the country after being invited by the West African country’s chief of defence staff, who met Harry in Germany last September at Invictus Games Dusseldorf.

Harry was in London on Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral, as Charles hosted a Buckingham Palace garden party just two miles away. But the King was said to be too busy to see his son, as confirmed in a statement earlier this week that revealed the pair would not meet because the monarch had a busy programme of ­official duties.

Prince Harry seen arriving at Heathrow Airport (
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n.c)
The Duke, 39, did not meet up with his 41-year-old brother Prince William, either. Harry last saw the King in February when he dashed from the US after Charles’ cancer diagnosis. His spokesman said earlier this week: “In response to the many inquiries on whether or not the Duke will meet with his father while in the UK, 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.”

The Duke of Sussex left London and will travel to Nigeria (
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n.c)
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Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: “It’s a very difficult situation at the moment and it’s completely unprecedented. I think people thought Harry and the King would have found the time to meet each other. I think what’s developing here is something that had not been expected but there is logic to it. I think that this and the appointment of William as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps is about timing.” Mr Fitzwilliams added: “The only way for the rift to be healed is in private.”

Harry wore his military medals for the service at St Paul’s (
Image:
PA)

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At yesterday’s event at St Paul’s, no other member of the Royal Family joined Harry at his Invictus event. Harry’s appearance yesterday was in stark contrast to 2014 when he launched the Games, accompanied by Charles, Camilla and William. His relationship with the family has grown increasingly fractured since he and Meghan quit as working royals in 2020 and moved to California with their children Archie, five, and two-year-old Lilibet.

Prince Harry has now left the UK (
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Harry was joined at the 10th anniversary by his mum Diana’s brother Charles Spencer and her sister Lady Jane Fellows. The Duke’s cousins George McCorquodale, 39, and Louis and Lara Spencer, 30 and 18, also sat close and supported him. Harry was cheered by hundreds of people outside the cathedral who waited to see him.

Crowds had gathered around crash barriers to see the duke’s car pull up, and there was a large number of journalists, photographers, and cameramen covering his every move. Harry acknowledged them with a wave as he strode up St Paul’s steps and was warmly greeted warmly greeted by the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett.

Harry greeted wellwishers who had turned out to see him (
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When the duke left he went on a brief walkabout, shaking hands with some of the well-wishers who had waited to catch a glimpse of him.