Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at the TIME100 Sports Gala in New York City on Thursday, where he was named one of the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 in the "Leaders" category. The 41-year-old Duke of Sussex posed on the red carpet at the event, which came just days after his return from a UK visit that included a meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House.
Invictus Games Inspiration
Before the gala, TIME honored Harry for his work with the Invictus Games, which he founded for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women. Reflecting on the inspiration for the international event, Harry told TIME: "I thought, 'Wow, look at the power of sport, look at how it is literally changing lives in front of my very eyes.' It was so clear to me. Let's invite as many countries as possible to make it international. Because clearly more countries need to benefit from this."
Red Carpet Moment
Upon arriving at the event, Harry was heard telling awaiting media that they were "the most polite set of photographers that I have ever met in my life." His solo appearance in New York follows a brief UK trip where he, along with wife Meghan Markle and their two children, visited the King and Queen last Friday. The visit also focused on the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games.
Royal Family Dynamics
Despite the meeting with his father, tensions within the royal family remain. Royal expert Robert Jobson commented on The Sun's Royal Exclusive podcast: "To be honest, I think they rise above it, William and Catherine. I think they rightly do. They've got enough on their plate. You know, she's been recovering, and they're planning for their future. Their children are doing their own thing. You know, their oldest son, George, is going up to Eton [College]. I think they're totally over the whole Meghan and Harry circus." The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have reportedly moved past the ongoing drama surrounding the Sussexes.
