Prince Harry concluded his four-day visit to the UK on Thursday with a final engagement at the Diana Award in central London. The Duke of Sussex spent around an hour with young people discussing how social action has positively impacted their mental health before departing at 11.18am.
The visit came just a day after Harry reunited with his father King Charles for the first time in 19 months. The pair spent 54 minutes together during a private tea at Clarence House on Wednesday afternoon, marking what observers view as a significant but tentative step towards reconciliation.
Royal rift remains unhealed
Despite the meeting with his father, Harry remains estranged from his brother Prince William. The once-close siblings did not meet during Harry's UK trip, with their long-standing rift showing no signs of healing.
The Diana Award engagement remained a solo affair for Harry, though the charity continues to receive support from both brothers in memory of their mother. There was no discussion of royal family tensions at the event as Harry focused attention on the next generation.
Message of youth empowerment
Harry delivered a powerful message about young people's capacity for change during the intimate gathering of around 40 attendees. "Getting involved in peaceful social action takes courage and determination," he said in a statement.
"Young people see the issues society faces close up - whether that's poor mental health or the consequences of inequalities. But you don't stand still; your empathy and compassion drive you to make change," Harry continued.
He emphasised that taking action provides purpose and hope, telling the audience: "When you spoke about how taking action gave you purpose, confidence and joy, it was more powerful than any statistic. It reminded me that agency is not a luxury for young people, it is a lifeline."
Diana's continuing legacy
The duke connected the work to his mother's beliefs about youth empowerment. "My mother believed in the power and agency of young people to positively impact the world. The Diana Award continues her legacy by putting young people at the heart of everything they do," he stated.
Harry participated in a panel discussion with three 23-year-olds - Lottie Leach, Elsa Arnold and Idorenyin Hope Akpan - chaired by Dan Lawes, a former Legacy Award winner. His final message urged continued action: "Don't stand still, don't stay silent - make them hear you because you speak for the majority."
The duke is now expected to return to California to reunite with his wife Meghan and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
