Prince Harry “loved” being in the UK catching up with friends, his spokesperson said as he wrapped up his trip to the UK that included a high-stakes meeting with King Charles III.
The Duke of Sussex spent the last of four days back in his home country hearing from young people about how social action has positively impacted their mental health.
Harry attended a panel discussion put on by The Diana Award, a project he shares with Prince William, at Service Now, in central London, where he heard moving stories about the emotional struggles young people must overcome in the social media age.
The event came a day after a private tea with Charles at Clarence House ended weeks of speculation about whether a step towards reconciliation between father and son might be on the cards.
Harry's spokesperson suggested the UK visit had gone well.
“He’s obviously loved being back in the UK, catching up with old friends, colleagues and just generally being able to support the incredible work of the causes that mean so much to him,” they said.
Prince William is also a supporter of The Diana Award too and in years gone by an event like this might have involved them both.
There was no discussion of the royal rift on Thursday though as the prince sought to turn the focus onto hope for the next generation.
Harry spoke to an intimate gathering of around 40 people after a panel with Lottie Leach, Elsa Arnold and Idorenyin Hope Akpan, all 23, which was chaired by chaired by Dan Lawes, a former winner of the organisation’s Legacy Award.
And they delivered a stark message to young people—activism is good for your mental health.
The Diana Award CEO Dr Tessy Ojo, CBE said in a statement: "One in five young people is living with a diagnosable mental health condition, and four in ten feel powerless about their future. The crisis is real.
"This is why The Diana Award launched the Decade of Youth Wellbeing a year ago, prioritising mental health for young people globally.
"When young people are trusted to lead and take action, their wellbeing rises, their resilience grows, and hope is restored. Put simply, action heals minds."
Prince Harry was upbeat throughout the engagement but also struck a philosophical tone when he addressed the young people in the room.
He gave a short speech, from his seat, to the panel: "Thank you all for being here. I don't know how you were as individuals, all of you... five, ten years ago pre-Diana Award, but to see you sitting up here now with the confidence you have, speaking to a complete group of strangers is proof of the fact this whole thing works."
"You talk about the mental health piece that is woven through so much of this and it is, it's emotional... it's mental and emotional wellbeing," he continued.
"In every single Diana Awardee, in every single young person and middle-aged person and probably old people as well. Our mental health and our emotional health through our nervous system is being tested every single day.
"And this proven model of being engaged with or finding your purpose with social action, it really does work. You guys are testament to that. Otherwise you're sitting there feeling hopeless.
"You have the hope. My point is that if you're a young person it can sometimes feel as though you're lost and separated from a group and you feel isolated. But I can assure you that there's nothing wrong with you."
