Prince Harry Unveils Packed Public Schedule as He and Meghan Markle Challenge King Charles

Prince Harry is wasting no time stepping back into the spotlight since returning to England.

Harry, 41, has unveiled a busy schedule of appearances in Britain and the U.S., according to a People report published Friday, September 11. The news comes just days after King Charles III made clear that Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, remain non-working royals whose charitable activities are carried out privately — a position sources close to the Sussexes have challenged.

“Members of the public know who they are. The idea that they can live a normal, ‘private’ life is sadly not realistic,” an insider said, per the outlet.

Issues arose shortly after Harry and Meghan, 45, returned to Britain with their children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. Charles, 77, authorized guidance reaffirming that the couple’s decision to step away from royal duties in 2020 remains in effect despite their move back to the U.K.

According to the report, Palace guidance stated that their position is “akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.” It also reiterated that Harry and Meghan do not use their HRH styles and are not carrying out duties on behalf of the royal family, per the report.

According to People, a Sussex spokesperson pushed back against Charles’ announcement, saying the couple were “surprised” by the Palace’s decision to release the guidance and received just over an hour’s notice before it was made public. They also claimed they were not given enough time to “clarify one or two points.”

Now, Harry has several high-profile events on his calendar.

Per the report, the Duke of Sussex will attend the first Invictus Spirit Awards on Thursday, September 17, and take part in the launch of INSPIRE, a new educational initiative connected to the Invictus Games. The program uses the experiences of Invictus competitors to create classroom materials across subjects including English, math, science, art and physical education. Harry is also scheduled to participate in a school assembly and get onto the pickleball court as part of the launch.

Four days later, Harry will be back at one of his longtime causes when he attends the WellChild Awards in London, the outlet reported. He has served as a patron of the organization since 2007 and has attended the awards 15 times. This year, he will meet children and their families as well as caregivers and medical professionals.

Per the report, Harry will then cross the Atlantic for the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York on September 22 and 23, during United Nations General Assembly week. Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Chrissy Teigen and LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman are among the other names expected to take part.