Prince Harry made several significant visits to London throughout 2025, marking pivotal moments in his relationship with the Royal Family and continuing his charitable work in the capital. The Duke of Sussex’s appearances in his hometown became focal points for royal watchers, particularly his first face-to-face meeting with King Charles in over 19 months at the prestigious Clarence House residence.
September Visit: Emotional Return to the Capital
Prince Harry’s most substantial London visit occurred between September 8-11, 2025, coinciding with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. The four-day trip centered on charity engagements across London and the wider UK, demonstrating his continued commitment to causes close to his heart despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020. His itinerary included multiple London landmarks and institutions, from the Royal Lancaster Hotel to Clarence House in the heart of central London.
WellChild Awards at Royal Lancaster Hotel
The Duke’s London itinerary began at the iconic Royal Lancaster Hotel on September 8, where he attended the WellChild Awards as the charity’s patron, a role he has held for 17 years. This marked his 15th attendance at the prestigious ceremony celebrating seriously ill children and their families. During the emotional evening at one of London’s most recognized venues overlooking Hyde Park, Harry presented the award for Most Inspirational Child aged 4-6 and delivered a heartfelt speech to attendees. The 40-year-old prince was seen engaging warmly with young winners, crouching to meet children at eye level and wrapping families in compassionate hugs.
However, the Royal Lancaster Hotel event was marred by a serious security incident when a female stalker managed to breach secure areas and came within feet of Prince Harry. The woman, who had previously followed Harry to Nigeria in May 2024, was recognized by members of Harry’s private office staff rather than police protection officers. This alarming incident highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing the Duke during his London visits, as there was no police presence at the event despite the known security risks.
Historic Clarence House Meeting with King Charles
The most significant moment of Harry’s London visit came on September 10, when he arrived at Clarence House in central London for a private meeting with King Charles. Located in Westminster, Clarence House has served as the King’s official London residence and stands as one of the most important royal properties in the capital. The Duke was driven through the historic gates in a black Range Rover at approximately 5:20 pm, just after the King had conducted an audience following his return from Balmoral.
This marked the first time father and son had seen each other since February 2024, when Harry traveled to London following the King’s cancer diagnosis announcement. The private tea at the King’s official London residence lasted approximately 50 minutes to one hour, with Buckingham Palace confirming the meeting took place but declining to discuss further details. When questioned by journalists as he departed Clarence House onto the streets of central London, Harry responded that his father was doing “great,” offering a rare public comment about the monarch’s health.
Royal experts described the encounter as “a massive step in the right direction” and “a building of trust” after more than 18 months of estrangement between father and son. The meeting at this prestigious London location carried significant symbolic weight, demonstrating the King’s willingness to engage with his younger son at his personal residence rather than a more formal palace setting.
Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London
Earlier on September 10, before meeting his father at Clarence House, Prince Harry visited the Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London in South Kensington. The Duke toured the laboratories and participated in a roundtable discussion focused on mental health and medical evacuation in conflict zones, particularly relating to children affected by blast injuries in Gaza and Ukraine. This wasn’t Harry’s first visit to this London institution—he originally opened the Centre’s new laboratories in 2013 and attended the Blast Injury Conference in 2019, demonstrating his long-standing connection to this West London research facility.
The visit to Imperial College London reflected Harry’s continued commitment to military-related research and veteran welfare, causes that have defined much of his charitable work in the capital over the past two decades. During the engagement, Harry announced his foundation would contribute 500,000 dollars to assist injured children from Gaza and Ukraine, emphasizing that “no single organization can solve this alone” and calling for collaboration across government, science, medicine, and humanitarian response sectors.
Diana Award Visit in Central London
Harry concluded his London visit on September 11 with a poignant tribute to his late mother, attending the Diana Award headquarters in the capital. During this engagement in central London, he spoke with young people about the positive effects of social action on mental health, continuing Princess Diana’s legacy of charitable work that began in the capital decades earlier. The visit held particular emotional significance as it followed his reunion with King Charles and fell during the week marking Queen Elizabeth’s death anniversary.
This was Harry’s final London engagement before returning to the United States, and it represented his ongoing connection to his mother’s charitable legacy that remains deeply rooted in the capital. The Diana Award has become one of the most prominent youth charities operating across London, making this visit particularly meaningful for the Duke.
Secret Visit to Kensington Palace
During his September stay in London, Harry also made a previously undisclosed visit to Kensington Palace to privately pay his respects to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, following the death of his wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent on September 4. The visit to Kensington Palace, the West London residence where Harry himself grew up with Prince William and Princess Diana, remained secret until later revealed by palace sources. A spokesperson confirmed the Duke of Sussex “loved catching up with family, friends and colleagues” during his London trip, though he expressed regret at not being able to stay longer due to prior commitments in Ukraine with the Invictus Games Foundation.
Windsor Castle Visit on Anniversary Day
Harry’s London area visit actually began on September 8 when he traveled directly from California to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, just outside London, to place flowers at the grave of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. The third anniversary visit to Windsor demonstrated Harry’s continued emotional connection to the royal estates surrounding London, even as his relationship with working royals remained strained. While his brother Prince William and Kate Middleton attended a memorial event for the late monarch nearby in Sunningdale at the same time, the estranged brothers did not meet during their simultaneous presence in the greater London area.
April London Court Appearance
Prince Harry made another significant London visit in April 2025, appearing at the High Court in central London for a hearing related to his legal battle over security arrangements. The Duke traveled to the UK capital specifically for court proceedings concerning the government’s decision to modify his security detail after stepping away from royal responsibilities. This London court appearance proved unsuccessful, as Harry lost the case a month later in May 2025. Notably, King Charles was not in London during this visit, having jetted out to Italy for a state visit, eliminating any possibility of a father-son reunion in the capital at that time.
The April court appearance highlighted the central role London continues to play in Harry’s ongoing legal battles with the UK government, with the capital’s High Court serving as the venue for multiple hearings concerning his security status. The visits to London’s legal district demonstrated the Duke’s willingness to travel thousands of miles from California to the capital to fight for restored protection.
The Security Controversy Looming Over London Visits
Prince Harry’s ability to visit London has been significantly impacted by the ongoing security controversy that has dominated his relationship with the UK government and the Royal Family. The Duke lost his automatic state-backed security detail after stepping down as a working royal in 2020, a decision he unsuccessfully challenged in the courts throughout 2024 and 2025. This security situation has fundamentally altered Harry’s relationship with his hometown, transforming London from a place of safety into a city where he feels vulnerable and exposed.
October Security Developments
In October 2025, Prince Harry took a new approach to his security battle by writing to Shabana Mahmood, the UK government’s head of security and crime prevention. The letter, sent before October 6, urged a reassessment of security risks to him and his family when visiting London and other parts of the UK. This communication came after the disturbing September incident when a female stalker came within feet of Prince Harry at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, with only two private office staffers intervening rather than official Metropolitan Police protection.
A security source revealed that while such incidents aren’t uncommon for royal family members in London, the lack of police presence was deeply concerning. “This time, they got lucky, recognizing the fixated individual. Relying on luck is not a long-term fix,” the source explained. The source added that as the King’s son, brother of the heir, and fifth in line to the throne, Harry faces inevitable security challenges in London without proper protection from the Metropolitan Police, who traditionally guard senior royals in the capital.
The stalker incident at the Royal Lancaster Hotel occurred on September 9, and just two days later on September 11, the same woman was spotted near Harry at the Centre for Blast Injury Studies in West London. Harry’s security team subsequently collaborated with a private intelligence firm to add the woman to a list of individuals known for obsessive behavior, demonstrating the very real threats the Duke faces when visiting London without state-backed protection.
Impact on Family Visits to London
Harry has repeatedly stated that without restored security cover from the Metropolitan Police, he cannot bring his wife Meghan and their children Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, to London safely. In a BBC interview in May 2025, he explained he doesn’t feel safe bringing his family to the country of his birth under current circumstances. This means Archie and Lilibet have been largely absent from London, the city where their father grew up and where their grandfather serves as monarch.
The security standoff has been identified as a significant barrier to reconciliation with King Charles, who felt unable to speak with Harry during the legal process due to being head of state in whose court Harry was fighting. This creates a painful paradox—Harry wants to rebuild relationships with family members primarily based in London, but the lack of security makes extended stays in the capital practically impossible for his young family. King Charles reportedly wants to be a grandfather to Archie and Lilibet, creating pressure for some kind of compromise that would allow the children to safely visit London.
Sources revealed in October 2025 that there are “tentative talks” about a trip to London in the “near future” by Harry, Meghan, and their two children, representing the first potential family visit to the capital since the Queen’s funeral in September 2022. However, any such visit would require resolution of the security situation, with Meghan reportedly wanting Harry to “get on good terms with his father” while fully supporting his reconciliation efforts with the King at Clarence House and other London royal residences.
What Prince Harry Said About London and Reconciliation
Throughout 2025, Prince Harry’s public statements revealed his complex relationship with London and his desire to rebuild family connections in the capital. His comments paint a picture of a man torn between his new life in California and his deep roots in London, where he spent the first 35 years of his life.
“He’s Great” Comments Outside Clarence House
When departing Clarence House in central London on September 10, Harry offered a rare public comment to waiting journalists about his father’s health, simply stating “yes, he’s great, thank you” when asked how King Charles was doing. These brief words, spoken on the streets of Westminster, represented one of the few direct public comments Harry has made about his father since relocating to California. The positive tone suggested the meeting at the King’s London residence had gone well, fueling speculation about potential future reconciliation and more frequent London visits.
May BBC Interview on Reconciliation
In a revealing BBC interview conducted in May 2025, following his court defeat over security, Harry expressed his deep desire for family reconciliation in London. “I would love a reconciliation with my family,” he stated, acknowledging the profound rift that has kept him largely absent from the capital where the Royal Family is primarily based. The interview revealed Harry’s internal conflict—wanting to rebuild relationships with family members in London while simultaneously feeling unsafe in the city without proper police protection.
Harry’s comments about security were particularly pointed, explaining that he doesn’t feel safe bringing Meghan and the children to London under current circumstances. “I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point,” he said, effectively ruling out extended family stays in the capital without restored Metropolitan Police protection. This statement underscored how the security issue has become the central obstacle to Harry’s full engagement with London life and royal family connections.
“The World Has Thrown Challenges”
Upon arriving in London on September 8 for the WellChild Awards, Harry acknowledged that “the world has thrown a few challenges” as he made his first return to Britain in five months. This philosophical comment suggested Harry’s awareness that his relationship with London and the Royal Family remains complicated by external factors beyond simple family dynamics. The statement was made at a critical time—the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death—adding emotional weight to his reflections on the challenges of maintaining connections to his hometown.
Comments on King Charles’s Health
In his May BBC interview, Harry made revealing comments about his father’s cancer diagnosis and how it has affected his perspective on London visits and family reconciliation. While not directly quoting what Harry said (as the full interview content wasn’t available), reports indicated he expressed concern about his father’s health and acknowledged the preciousness of time, suggesting that life is too short to continue fighting. This represented a softening of Harry’s position and likely contributed to his willingness to return to London in September for the Clarence House tea meeting.
Private Comments to Family and Friends
Sources close to Harry revealed that during his September London visit, the Duke “loved catching up with family, friends and colleagues” throughout the capital, from Kensington Palace to Clarence House to Imperial College. However, he reportedly expressed regret at not being able to stay longer in London due to prior commitments with the Invictus Games Foundation in Ukraine. This suggested Harry would welcome more time in his hometown if circumstances allowed, indicating his relationship with London remains fundamentally positive despite the complications.
Nottingham Visit During London Trip
While not technically in London, Harry’s visit to Nottingham on September 9 formed part of his broader UK trip centered on the capital. He traveled from London to Nottingham to meet social action groups and local charities, demonstrating his continued commitment to charitable work across England beyond just the capital. The Nottingham engagement was sandwiched between his London appearances at the Royal Lancaster Hotel and his subsequent visit to Imperial College London, showing how the Duke uses London as his UK base when conducting wider charitable work.
London Locations Harry Didn’t Visit
Notably absent from Harry’s September London itinerary were several significant royal locations. He did not visit Buckingham Palace in central London, despite it being his father’s official administrative headquarters. He also did not visit his brother Prince William at Kensington Palace in an official capacity, reflecting the continued estrangement between the brothers. While William was conducting engagements in Wales and Surrey during Harry’s London visit, the brothers made no effort to coordinate meetings in the capital, demonstrating that while Harry’s relationship with his father may be warming, the rift with William remains frozen.
Harry also did not stay at any royal residence during his London visit, instead reportedly staying at a private location in the capital. This contrasted with his previous pattern of staying at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor when it served as his UK base, before King Charles asked him to vacate the property in 2023. The lack of a permanent London base has made Harry’s visits to the capital more logistically complicated and potentially less frequent.
Meghan Markle’s Absence from London
Meghan Markle has been notably absent from London throughout 2025, with her last visit to the capital occurring during Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022. The Duchess of Sussex has not joined Harry on any of his London trips in 2025, whether for court appearances, charity events, or the family reconciliation meeting at Clarence House. Sources suggest Meghan fully supports Harry’s reconciliation efforts with King Charles but has no plans to visit London herself until security arrangements are resolved to her satisfaction.
Meghan’s continued absence from London has become a significant factor in the reconciliation process, as King Charles reportedly wants to build relationships with both his son and daughter-in-law, as well as his grandchildren who have spent minimal time in the capital. Some royal commentators suggest that Harry may need to make several solo trips to London to rebuild trust before Meghan would feel comfortable returning to the city where she faced intense media scrutiny as a working royal.
However, October 2025 reports indicated that “tentative talks” were underway about a potential London visit by Meghan, Harry, Archie, and Lilibet in the “near future,” representing the first time such a family trip has been seriously discussed since the Sussexes relocated to California. If such a visit materializes, it would mark a significant breakthrough in the family’s relationship with London and the Royal Family.
Royal Lancaster Hotel: A London Landmark in Harry’s Story
The Royal Lancaster Hotel, overlooking Hyde Park in central London, has become an unexpected recurring location in Prince Harry’s London visits. The hotel has hosted the WellChild Awards multiple times, making it a regular stop for Harry when he returns to the capital for his patronage work. The prestigious hotel’s location near Paddington offers easy access to other parts of London, making it a convenient venue for the charity’s annual celebration.
However, the September 2025 stalking incident at the Royal Lancaster has cast a shadow over this London landmark in Harry’s story, highlighting how even premium hotel security cannot fully substitute for the Metropolitan Police protection he once enjoyed throughout London. The incident has likely made Harry and his security team more cautious about which London venues they agree to visit, potentially limiting his engagement with the capital’s charitable sector.
Imperial College London: A Military Connection
Harry’s longstanding relationship with Imperial College London’s Centre for Blast Injury Studies in South Kensington represents one of his most enduring London connections related to military welfare. The West London institution has been researching blast injuries since Harry opened its laboratories in 2013, making it one of the world’s leading centers for this specialized field. Harry’s continued visits to this London location demonstrate his sustained commitment to veteran welfare and military medical research, even as other aspects of his London life have become complicated.
The Centre’s location in South Kensington places it in one of London’s most prestigious academic and cultural districts, surrounded by institutions like the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Royal Albert Hall. This neighborhood represents London’s intellectual and cultural heart, and Harry’s engagement with Imperial College connects him to this dimension of the capital beyond just royal palaces and charity events.
Diana Award and Princess Diana’s London Legacy
Prince Harry’s visit to the Diana Award headquarters in London on September 11 connected him to his mother’s enduring legacy in the capital. Princess Diana conducted much of her groundbreaking charitable work in London, from visits to homeless shelters to her campaign against landmines launched from the capital. The Diana Award continues this work across London and beyond, supporting young people to create positive change in their communities.
For Harry, engaging with the Diana Award in London represents a way to maintain connection with his mother’s memory in the city where she lived, worked, and ultimately died in 1997. The charity has become one of London’s most prominent youth organizations, and Harry’s continued patronage ensures the Princess of Wales’s legacy remains vibrant in the capital nearly three decades after her death.
Clarence House: The Setting for Reconciliation
Clarence House, located on the Mall in central London adjacent to St James’s Palace, served as the crucial setting for Harry and Charles’s September reconciliation meeting. The historic residence has been King Charles’s London home for over two decades, first as Prince of Wales and now as monarch. The decision to meet at Clarence House rather than Buckingham Palace suggested a more personal, informal approach to reconciliation—a father inviting his son to his home rather than conducting official business at the palace.
The choice of Clarence House also carried symbolic weight, as it was once home to the Queen Mother and has long associations with the Royal Family’s more private moments. By welcoming Harry to Clarence House, King Charles signaled his desire to rebuild their personal relationship in the comfort of his private London residence, away from the formality and scrutiny associated with Buckingham Palace.
London’s Role in the Sussex-Royal Family Story
London remains the geographical and emotional center of the conflict and potential reconciliation between Prince Harry and the Royal Family. Every significant moment in this ongoing drama—from the Clarence House reconciliation tea to the High Court security battles to the stalking incident at the Royal Lancaster Hotel—has occurred in the capital. London represents what Harry has lost (his role as a working royal based in the city), what he still seeks (security protection when visiting), and what remains possible (rebuilding family relationships with those based in the capital).
The city’s multiple royal residences, from Buckingham Palace to Kensington Palace to Clarence House, serve as the backdrop for this family drama, while London’s courts adjudicate Harry’s legal battles with the government. The capital’s hotels accommodate him when he visits, its research institutions benefit from his patronage, and its streets expose him to security risks that wouldn’t exist if he still enjoyed Metropolitan Police protection. In every sense, London remains Harry’s hometown, even as California becomes his adopted home.
Looking Ahead: Future London Visits
As 2025 progresses, speculation continues about when Prince Harry might next visit London and under what circumstances. The tentative talks about a family visit suggest that Harry may be planning more frequent trips to the capital if his reconciliation with King Charles continues to progress. However, the security situation remains unresolved, potentially limiting the frequency and duration of his London stays.
The ongoing security correspondence with the UK government suggests Harry is actively working to create conditions that would allow safer, more frequent London visits for himself and potentially his family. If successful, this could lead to a new pattern of regular visits to the capital, allowing him to rebuild relationships with family members while maintaining his California primary residence.
Royal commentators suggest that King Charles’s health concerns may accelerate the reconciliation timeline, potentially leading to more frequent London meetings between father and son. The King’s desire to spend time with his grandchildren creates additional pressure for resolution, potentially making 2025 a pivotal year in the Sussex family’s relationship with London and the broader Royal Family.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Prince Harry last visit London in 2025?
Prince Harry’s most recent confirmed London visit in 2025 occurred in September, from September 8-11. He attended the WellChild Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, visited Imperial College London’s Centre for Blast Injury Studies, met with King Charles at Clarence House, and visited the Diana Award headquarters. Prior to this, he made a brief London court appearance in April 2025 for his security case hearing.
Where exactly in London did Prince Harry meet King Charles?
Prince Harry met King Charles at Clarence House, the King’s official London residence located on the Mall in central Westminster. The private tea meeting took place on September 10, 2025, and lasted approximately 50 minutes to one hour. This was their first face-to-face meeting in 19 months, representing a significant step toward family reconciliation.
Why doesn’t Prince Harry bring his family to London?
Prince Harry has stated he doesn’t feel safe bringing Meghan Markle and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to London without restored Metropolitan Police security protection. After stepping down as a working royal in 2020, Harry lost his automatic state-backed security detail in the UK. A stalking incident in September 2025 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, where a woman came within feet of him, highlighted the ongoing security risks he faces when visiting London without police protection.
What London charities did Prince Harry support during his September visit?
During his September 2025 London visit, Prince Harry supported WellChild at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, the Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London in South Kensington, and the Diana Award in central London. He also visited charity organizations in Nottingham as part of his wider UK trip. These engagements demonstrated his continued commitment to children’s health, military medical research, and youth social action causes in London.
Has Meghan Markle visited London in 2025?
No, Meghan Markle has not visited London in 2025. Her last visit to the capital was in September 2022 for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. However, reports from October 2025 suggest there are “tentative talks” about a potential London visit by Meghan, Harry, and their two children in the “near future,” which would mark the first family trip to the capital since relocating to California in 2020.
Where did Prince Harry stay during his London visits?
Prince Harry’s accommodation during his 2025 London visits has not been publicly confirmed, but reports suggest he stayed at a private location in the capital rather than any royal residence. He no longer has access to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, which served as his UK base until King Charles asked him to vacate the property in 2023. The lack of a permanent London residence has complicated his visits to the capital.
Did Prince Harry meet Prince William during his London visits?
No, Prince Harry did not meet with his brother Prince William during his London visits in 2025. Despite both brothers being in the greater London area simultaneously on September 8—with Harry at Windsor and William at a memorial event in nearby Sunningdale—the estranged brothers did not arrange to meet. William continued his own engagements in Wales and Surrey during Harry’s London stay, with no coordination between their schedules.
What did Prince Harry say about his father after their London meeting?
When departing Clarence House in central London on September 10, 2025, Prince Harry told waiting journalists that his father was doing “great” when asked about King Charles’s health. This brief positive comment was one of the few direct public statements Harry has made about his father since relocating to California, suggesting the reunion at the King’s London residence went well.
Which London locations has Prince Harry visited for charity work?
Prince Harry has visited several London locations for charity work in 2025, including the Royal Lancaster Hotel near Hyde Park for the WellChild Awards, Imperial College London in South Kensington for the Centre for Blast Injury Studies, the Diana Award headquarters in central London, and Kensington Palace for a private condolence visit to the Duke of Kent. He also visited St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle to honor Queen Elizabeth on the anniversary of her death.
Is Prince Harry planning more visits to London?
While no specific future London visits have been officially announced, reports from October 2025 suggest “tentative talks” are underway about a trip to London in the “near future” by Prince Harry, potentially with Meghan and their children. The success of his September reconciliation meeting with King Charles at Clarence House has fueled speculation about more frequent visits to the capital, though the unresolved security situation remains a significant obstacle to extended stays in London.
What security incident occurred during Harry’s London visit?
During Prince Harry’s September 2025 London visit, a female stalker managed to breach security at the Royal Lancaster Hotel and came within feet of the Duke on September 9. The same woman was spotted near him again on September 11 at the Centre for Blast Injury Studies in West London. Only private office staff recognized and intervened with the woman, as there was no Metropolitan Police protection present, highlighting the security risks Harry faces when visiting London without state-backed protection.
Why is Clarence House significant in Prince Harry’s reconciliation?
Clarence House is significant as the private London residence of King Charles, making it a more personal and informal setting for reconciliation than Buckingham Palace. By meeting at Clarence House on the Mall in central London rather than the official palace, King Charles signaled a more familial approach to rebuilding his relationship with Harry. The 50-minute private tea at this historic London residence represented their first meeting in 19 months and marked a crucial step toward family reconciliation.
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