Prince Harry makes his first appearance since returning to UK

Prince Harry has attended the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards in London overnight, his first appearance since returning to the UK with his family in August.

The Duke of Sussex attended the event solo as wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, continues to lie low as the family settles into their new life with children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.

Harry, 42, has in one deft move highlighted the exact concern of royal followers: that his move to the UK at subsequent appearances will rival the official events of the British royal family, who have also been busy this week attending a number of engagements this week.

The Invictus Games, founded by the royal in 2014, is close to his heart and next takes place in Birmingham in 2027.

To mark its 12th year of operation, the Invictus Games Foundation announced the Invictus Spirit Awards to “celebrate the people whose courage, commitment and contribution continue to make a difference across the Movement”, the organisation explained on X.

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British comedian and actor James Corden, a friend of the duke, hosted the event.

The Invictus Games is Prince Harry’s proudest achievement and experienced a brief moment of friction following Harry’s return to the UK.

A letter released on behalf of King Charles confirming the Sussexes are “private citizens” and not working for the monarchy in any official capacity following their return led to the withdrawal of Commonwealth nation Uganda before the king intervened, and it announced its return.

Prince Harry served with the British army for 10 years, and wore his medals proudly at the Invictus Spirit Awards where he happily posed for photos with officials, representatives and competitors.

The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans.

The Invictus Games Foundation paid tribute to Prince Harry ahead of the event, with the games marking its 12th year with footage of the event over the years.

Fourteen individuals and organisations have been nominated having “made a difference with their resilience, philanthropy, commitment to the community and contribution to the wider Invictus Movement”.

It had been hoped the Duchess of Sussex would attend the event.

Prince Harry and Meghan debuted their relationship at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017, their first official appearance.

Security concerns have been cited as the reason the couple hasn’t publicly appeared in the UK together, with the pair cancelling Meghan’s scheduled appearances in the country earlier this year for this reason.

Prince Harry has renewed efforts to secure publicly funded security for his family now that they are once again residents.

In a plea to officials, the prince spoke of specific threats that had been made against him. The couple currently pays for private security.