Prince Harry can be seen in his element in new behind-the-scenes pictures from his trip to the UK. The Duke of Sussex spent five days in his home country earlier this month to attend various engagements linked to his patronages and to mark the one-year-to-go milestone for the Invictus Games in Birmingham.

It followed weeks of varying statements from both his camp and Buckingham Palace, over his accommodation arrangements and whether he would be joined by his family. Harry ended up flying to London solo, and neither his wife, Meghan Markle, nor his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, joined him at any public events in the UK. But they did manage to travel to Gloucestershire for an under-the-radar meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

It was the first time Archie and Lilibet saw their grandfather in four years.

In the new pictures, shared online by photographer David Levene, who accompanied the duke and the Invictus Games for the trip, Harry can be seen beaming from ear to ear as he engaged with veterans, dignitaries and hospital and rehabilitation centre staff.

Mr Levene said on his post on Instagram: “Here’s a roundup of my week working with @weareinvictusgames earlier this month during a visit to the UK by the Duke of Sussex, marking one year to go until the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 @birmingham_2027.

“Following a trip to Ukraine together last year, it was great to work alongside Prince Harry again, as he toured the country and met with former competitors, veterans, dignitaries, and hospital and rehabilitation centre staff.

“He also had a guest appearance on the Joe Marler podcast, before taking part in a One-year-to-go event at the NEC centre in Birmingham, where he tested his skills at Pickleball, Laser Run and Wheelchair Rugby.”

Right after the Sussex trip had concluded, “sources close to the Sussexes” spoke to Hollywood bible Vanity Fair and shared a glimpse of their private meeting with the King and Queen.

They said the catch-up, which included both Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, lasted for about “an hour” and that it was “completely cloak-and-dagger, orchestrated by the King”.

A source told the outlet: “They are keeping the meeting top secret. They haven’t said anything to anyone. The agreement was made before they met the King that nothing would be shared – no photos, no details. It was a top-secret arrangement, and they pulled it off, and frankly, they are delighted about that.”