Prince Harry appears at first royal duty since Queen talks - see the photos

16 January 2020, 12:26

The Duke of Sussex met young rugby players at his first public event since he and Meghan announced they would step back from royal life.

Prince Harry was seen smiling and shaking hands with children at Buckingham Palace's gardens, ahead of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw, which he is also hosting later.

He will next meet representatives of the nations playing in the event.

Meghan was not in attendance, as she and the couple's son Archie are currently in Canada, but Harry will reportedly stay in the UK for further meetings next week.

Earlier this week, Prince Harry held talks with the Queen, his father the Prince of Wales and brother the Duke of Cambridge to discuss the couple's future at the Queen's Sandringham estate.

The Queen released a statement on Monday, agreeing to their desire to step back as senior royals, to become financially independent, and to split their time between the UK and Canada.

Harry has been patron of the Rugby Football League since December 2016. He met with two ambassadors for the global tournament - wheelchair rugby league star James Simpson and Women's Super League player Jodie Cunningham. He then spoke to 12 young rugby players from St Vincent de Paul Catholic primary school in Westminster.

Meanwhile, Meghan flew to Canada to be with her eight-month-old son Archie earlier this week. On Tuesday, the duchess visited a charity in Vancouver that campaigns for teenage girls living in poverty.