Meghan Markle set to shun UK yet again as Prince Harry goes solo on upcoming trip

Meghan Markle is not set to join Prince Harry in the UK later this month as the Duke returns to attend the annual WellChild awards in London.

It has been confirmed that Harry will attend the awards on September 30, an event that he has attended for many years.

The Duke, who celebrated his 40th birthday last week, has been patron of WellChild for 16 years. Despite stepping down as a senior working royal in 2020, WellChild is one of the few UK-based organisations that he kept links with after moving to the US.

The charity, which was founded in 1977, aims to improve the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families.

Having not visited the UK for two years, it is thought Meghan will remain in the US with their children, five-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet.

Harry's attendance was confirmed on WellChild's official X account on September 18.

Alongside a picture of Harry at a previous event, the charity's tweet read: "We are delighted to announce that WellChild Patron Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, will attend the 2024 WellChild Awards, in association with @GSK, on 30th Sept.

"The Duke will meet our inspirational winners at a pre-ceremony reception before joining them in the main event."

Although highlighting that Harry would be in attendance, the tweet made no mention of his wife Meghan. Meghan has previously attended the WellChild awards with Harry and last attended back in 2019.

According to some reports, Meghan has vowed never to set foot in the UK again.

When she flew into the UK earlier this year - to join Harry on their way to Nigeria - she is said to have not stepped foot outside of the airport.

The news of Harry's return comes just three days after the Royal Family's official X and Instagram accounts wished him a happy 40th birthday.

The official accounts for the Prince and Princess of Wales also sent a public birthday message to the Duke.