The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is choosing to remain largely out of the public eye as her husband, Prince Harry, prepares for a public engagement in London. Harry will attend the WellChild Awards on Monday, 21 September, an event that has long been a highlight in his charitable calendar. Given the recent developments regarding their family’s relocation to the UK, Meghan’s absence from this event is notable, given she hasn’t made an official public appearance since their return on 26 August.
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Sources indicate that Meghan, 45, will not be attending the award ceremony, which celebrates the resilience and accomplishments of seriously ill children and those who support them. This year, Harry is expected to present the award for Inspirational Child (aged 4-6) and deliver an address to the attendees. As a patron of WellChild since 2007, he has made significant contributions to the charity, attending 15 awards ceremonies throughout the years.
Meghan has previously participated in the WellChild Awards alongside her husband during 2018 and 2019, before they stepped back from royal duties and moved to California in 2020. Her absence from the upcoming event continues her trend of stepping back from public engagements since the family’s recent move.
Harry made his first appearance in the UK last week at the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards, where he seemed pleased to be back. When asked about his return, he simply stated, “Good. It’s good to be back on British soil.” However, Meghan was also missing from this event, with insiders suggesting that her primary focus is on helping their children, Prince Archie, aged 7, and Princess Lilibet, aged 5, adjust to their new environment.
The couple’s return to the UK has been relatively subdued, following the announcement just a week prior that they would be spending an extended period in Britain. Archie and Lilibet are now attending school for the first time but faced challenges, switching schools only two days into their classes due to security concerns and logistical issues related to their commute.
Despite their return and maintaining a low profile, Harry and Meghan have no plans to resume their former roles as working royals, a decision they made in 2020 when they stepped back from royal duties. Instead, Harry remains committed to various charitable endeavours, including his work with Invictus Games and the WellChild charity, as well as his participation in the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City.
Meanwhile, Meghan is reportedly looking to maintain her lifestyle brand, ‘As Ever’, and will continue overseeing the couple’s Archewell Philanthropy initiatives from abroad. In recent days, discussions about a potential return to acting have emerged, specifically regarding a role in the upcoming third season of the Netflix drama ‘The Gentlemen’, created by British filmmaker Guy Ritchie.
As the couple navigates their new chapter in the UK, Meghan’s choice to stay out of the limelight seems to coincide with her commitment to her family and personal projects. The Duchess’s plans signal a strategic approach to balancing her family life with her professional aspirations, which she appears to be managing while prioritising the well-being of her children.
Prince Harry, now engaged in important charitable efforts, evidently values the opportunity to support causes that are dear to him, marking a continued evolution in his public role. The coming weeks may reveal further insights into how both he and Meghan will adapt to their new circumstances in the UK while balancing family life and their individual aspirations.