Prince Harry Makes Surprise Red Carpet Appearance in NYC

Prince Harry's Kids Archie, Lilibet Reunite With King Charles for the First Time in 4 Years

Prince Harry is back on his side of the pond.

Just one week after the 41-year-old reunited with his father King Charles III after a year apart, Harry made a surprise appearance at the TIME 100 Most Influential People in Sports event on July 16.

For the occasion, the royal family member wore a simple yet elegant black suit which he paired with a white button-down shirt he left open at the collar. But while Harry’s kids with Meghan Markle, 7-year-old Archie and 5-year-old Lilibet, were by his side in England, he went stag to the TIME event.

During the evening in New York City—which honored the titans of sports—Harry reportedly told the photographers at the red carpet they were the “most polite” he’d come across in his many years in the spotlight, per People.

And while Harry wasn’t one of the professional athletes celebrated by TIME, the outlet did honor him for his work with the Invictus Games, the biennial sports competition the veteran set up for wounded service members and other veterans.

For Harry, his connection to sport is deeply personal.

“Sport held me together,” he told TIME. “I was one of those kids at school who did not enjoy classroom work. If it wasn't for the sports field, and the amount of sports that were on offer, there's no way I would have stayed in school.”

Which is why he understands firsthand the impact the Invictus Games can have.

TheStewartofNY/FilmMagic

“One thing that we really celebrate at Invictus is not only do we change lives, but we save lives as well,” he added. “That's not based on anything other than the amount of individuals that come up to me and say, ‘If it wasn't for Invictus, I would have killed myself.’”

Next year’s event, despite Harry’s ongoing complicated relationship with his family, will return to England after years in international host countries.

“To be amongst that community, those are the moments that I cherish,” Harry said. “You wish that every society, every community, had this same vibe about it.”

And perhaps the Invictus Games’ return to Harry’s come country is further proof of thawing relations between him and his family.

After all, before Harry, Archie and Lilibet’s visit with Charles, Harry had previously said in 2025 he couldn’t imagine bringing his family to England amid security concerns.

But even then, he lamented what his children might miss, telling the BBC, “I love my country. I always have, despite what some people in that country have done.”

For more insight into the royal happenings this year, read on.

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