Prince Harry has returned to the city where he and Meghan Markle carried out their very first joint royal engagement eight years ago, sparking speculation that he may hope to bring his family back to the UK.

The Duke of Sussex arrived on Monday, though it remains uncertain whether he will be invited to meet with King Charles. The two have not seen each other face-to-face in 19 months.

Revisiting the Site of His Debut with Meghan

Today, Harry travelled to Nottingham—the city where he and Meghan first appeared together publicly in 2017, shortly after announcing their engagement.

While Meghan stayed behind in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Harry used the occasion to announce a personal donation to Children in Need.

Conflicting Hopes About Returning

Harry’s trip comes alongside claims from one of his friends, who told The Sunday Times: “He’s not given up hope on bringing his family back to the UK.”

Those remarks appear at odds with Harry’s own statement earlier this year when he told the BBC: “I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point.”

Public Reaction to His Visit

Royal commentator Phil Dampier reflected on the symbolism of Harry’s return, telling the Sun: “It brings back memories of happier times when we thought they were going to be royal superstars. It will be fascinating to see how he is received and comes into contact with the public.”

Will He See the King?

It is not yet known whether Harry will meet King Charles, who is expected to return to London from Balmoral this week, or if he will remain in the UK to attend the funeral of the Duchess of Kent next week.

Harry’s current four-day visit is focused on his charitable work, with events planned in Nottingham and London, including engagements with the Invictus Foundation and the Diana Award.

This trip marks Harry’s longest time in Britain since the Queen’s funeral in 2022. However, relations with his brother Prince William remain tense, and sources say there are no plans for Harry to see the Princess of Wales during his stay.