Prince Harry visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham this week to mark one year to go until the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. He met several survivors of war and toured Fisher House, which his father King Charles opened in 2013. Reflecting on his visit, Harry said: "the care provided here goes far beyond treating physical injuries."
Harry's Hospital Visit and Remarks
During the visit, Harry toured Fisher House, a home situated in the grounds of the hospital that provides military families with accommodation while their loved ones recover. He embraced a nurse and spoke with a patient's family. Harry told The Sun: "Places like Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Fisher House remind us that recovery is never something anyone does alone. Behind every wounded, injured or sick service person is a network of extraordinary medical professionals, families, carers and charities who help carry them through the hardest days. The care provided here goes far beyond treating physical injuries. It's about restoring confidence, rebuilding lives and making sure families can stay close when they are needed most. Fisher House plays a vital role in that journey, lifting some of the financial burden that comes with long periods of treatment so families can focus on what really matters — being together."
King Charles Meets Harry and Family at Highgrove
A day later, King Charles welcomed Prince Harry's family to his Highgrove residence on Friday afternoon after days of speculation over whether the family meeting would take place. Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, last saw their grandfather in person during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. The meeting marked the first time the King had seen his two youngest grandchildren in more than four years. Sources said both the King and Prince Harry were keen for the family gathering to take place. No photographs or further details of the private family gathering have been released. The King selected Highgrove House over Buckingham Palace for the reunion, with People magazine reporting that "Highgrove offered something Buckingham Palace could not: privacy."
Ongoing Rift with Prince William
Harry's rift with William is ongoing and shows no sign of abating. The family reunion took place during the same afternoon William was playing in a charity polo match at Windsor. Royal expert Jennie Bond told the Mirror that the meeting could put a "strain" on King Charles and William's relationship. She said: "It's also tricky for Charles because he knows that a meeting with Harry and family would put a strain on his good relationship with William. That's a difficult situation for any father, but deep down I'm sure he still loves his younger son, his darling boy as he always called him. And what grandfather wouldn't want to see his little grandchildren?" There are no plans for the brothers to meet during Harry's visit.
Harry's Other Engagements in the UK
Earlier in the week, Harry participated in a goat yoga session at Maxstoke Castle during a visit to Scotty's Summer Festival, a military bereavement charity. He lay on his back as goats trampled over him, and someone joked that his security team had failed to protect the "crown jewels" when one animal stepped on his crotch. Harry also took part in wheelchair rugby and pickleball as part of Invictus Games promotions. He spoke with TV presenter Alison Hammond, telling her: "My kids loved you in the Bake Off – absolutely love it. I love it as well." When asked if Meghan and the children tell him they are proud of him, he replied: "They don't tell me every day that they're proud of me but yeah, I'm proud of them, they're proud of me, I love my family."
Meghan and Children Arrive Separately
Harry arrived first to carry out charity engagements, while Meghan later flew in with Archie and Lilibet ahead of the private reunion with King Charles. The Sussexes are expected to spend the weekend at Althorp House with the Spencer family, where they will visit the grave of Harry's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Harry's official itinerary for this UK trip concluded after the Highgrove meeting, and the family is expected to return to California soon.
Kate Middleton at Wimbledon
Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales attended Wimbledon on Saturday, where she presented the ladies' singles trophy to Linda Noskova. Kate met with tennis player Gabriela Dabrowski, who is undergoing cancer treatment, and told her she was "inspirational." Kate also mentioned that her son Prince Louis, eight, had been asking about becoming a ball boy. The princess wore a red belted top and pleated midi skirt for the event.
