On September 8, Prince Harry returned alone to the U.K. to quietly mark the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. His first stop: a private, unannounced visit to her grave at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, where he laid a silent wreath in tribute. The Duke of Sussex arrived without Meghan, Prince Archie, or Princess Lilibet, who remained in California.
His visit carried deep personal significance—St. George’s Chapel is not only the Queen’s final resting place, but also where Harry and Meghan were married in 2018. It’s the second year in a row he’s made a solo graveside visit. Queen Elizabeth’s passing in 2022 remains a defining moment in Harry’s life. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, he has had a strained relationship with the royal family.
This latest trip comes as part of a four-day visit, with his only public appearance scheduled at the WellChild Awards in London—a charity event he has supported for 17 years. While some speculated this visit might open the door to a meeting with King Charles III, no reunion has been confirmed. The two haven’t seen each other since February 2024, after the King announced his cancer diagnosis. Previous visits by Harry, including one in May 2024 for the Invictus Games anniversary, also passed without family contact.
Relations with Prince William remain especially tense. According to royal commentators, the brothers have had no direct communication in years, making reconciliation unlikely. One ongoing issue is Harry’s security.
In May 2025, he lost a legal appeal to restore his publicly funded protection while in the U.K. In a BBC interview, he admitted the ruling was devastating and said it’s one of the main reasons he won’t bring his family back to the country right now.
Despite these challenges, Harry has expressed a desire for peace.
“I would love reconciliation with my family. Life is precious,” he said, adding that while there have been serious disagreements, he has already forgiven much of the past. As royal watchers continue to speculate about his future role and relationship with the monarchy, Harry’s visit remains a quiet, personal reminder of loss, legacy, and longing—for both family and healing.
