Prince Harry made a private visit to Kensington Palace during his recent UK trip to “personally pay his respects and offer condolences” to Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, after the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, sources have claimed.
Although Harry did not attend the Duchess of Kent's funeral, which took place on September 16 at Westminster Cathedral, he was in London earlier that week for several engagements.
The funeral followed her death, announced on September 5, at the age of 92.
During his time in the UK, Harry spent four days in London. He attended the WellChild Awards and also took part in the Diana Award event.
Prince Harry paid visit to Duke of Kent just days before missing Katharine's funeral
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On September 12, he flew to Ukraine before returning home to Montecito, Santa Barbara.
A source close to Harry told Hello! that although he regretted not being able to stay longer and see more people, the schedule had been fixed for a while, particularly the meetings in Ukraine, which were important to him.
He wanted to see in person the growing work of the Invictus Games Foundation and progress at Superhumans.
"He has loved catching up with family, friends and colleagues," the source said.
The Duke of Kent at his wife's funeral
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"His only regret was not being able to stay longer and see more people, but the meetings in Ukraine had been in the diary for a long time, and it mattered to him to be there in person to see the Invictus Games Foundation's growing work and the progress at Superhumans.
"The whole trip felt like a real success for everyone involved.
"His passion for his patronages and the causes he cares about hasn’t dimmed one bit – he’s already buzzing to get back and do more."
Harry also used the visit to reconnect with his father, King Charles, for the first time in nearly two years.
Prince Harry pictured in the UK for his brief visit last week
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Prince Harry pictured with the Duchess of Kent when he was a child
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Even though he was in the UK during the timeframe of the Duchess’s funeral, he was not expected to attend.
However, he did send private condolences to her family.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, had stepped back from royal duties years ago but remained linked by family ties.
She lived at Wren House in Kensington Palace and was last publicly seen during her husband's 89th birthday celebrations.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the Duchess of Kent died earlier this month
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