Prince Harry returns to the spotlight in London without Meghan Markle as royal tensions continue

Prince Harry has made his first official public appearance since returning to the United Kingdom with Meghan Markle and their two children, and he appeared in notably upbeat spirits despite a difficult start to the family’s new chapter.

The Duke of Sussex attended the inaugural Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner & Awards at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London, on Thursday, Sept. 17, without his wife by his side.

When PEOPLE asked Harry how things were going after the family’s return to Britain, he offered a brief but positive response: “Good. It’s good to be back on British soil.”

Harry attends the Invictus gala alone

Harry arrived at the London event dressed in a black tuxedo and bow tie, with his military medals prominently displayed. He also wore the Royal Victorian Order medal around his neck.

During the evening, the 42-year-old appeared relaxed and cheerful, posing for photographs and taking selfies with fellow attendees.

Video footage also showed Harry entering the venue alongside two former Invictus competitors.

The appearance marked Harry’s first public engagement since he and Meghan returned to the UK on Aug. 26 after several years living in Montecito, California. The couple had relocated with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.

The Invictus Spirit Gala was created to recognize people who have contributed to the Invictus movement and to celebrate the resilience of its international military community. Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.

Meghan did not attend the gala. PEOPLE reported that she has remained focused on helping Archie and Lilibet settle into life and school in the UK.

A return to Britain that has already brought complications

Harry and Meghan’s move back to Britain came six years after they stepped away from their royal duties and relocated to California.

Harry’s return was linked to his desire to be closer to his father, King Charles III, who has been undergoing cancer treatment. But the family’s arrival has quickly been followed by renewed tension over the Sussexes’ position within the royal family.

About a week after Harry, Meghan and their children arrived in Britain, Buckingham Palace issued formal guidance reiterating that the couple are not working royals.

A letter issued under the direction of King Charles described their position as being akin to “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.” Their HRH styles remain in abeyance, and their charitable activities are to be conducted in a personal capacity.

Sources close to Harry and Meghan subsequently pushed back on that description, saying the couple regard themselves as “public figures.” PEOPLE reported that they were surprised by the guidance and believed the distinction had particular significance because of their ongoing security concerns in Britain.

Uganda’s Invictus decision adds to the dispute

The disagreement over the Sussexes’ status soon spilled into Harry’s work with the Invictus Games.

Uganda initially withdrew from the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham after its military leadership said it did not want the country’s participation to be interpreted as opposition to King Charles III.

The decision came shortly after the palace’s clarification of Harry and Meghan’s status. Reporting at the time said Harry’s camp viewed the withdrawal as a consequence of the palace guidance.

The situation was subsequently resolved.

King Charles’ private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, spoke with Uganda’s military leadership and clarified that the King supported the country taking part. Uganda then reinstated its participation in the Games. ITV reported that Ugandan officials acknowledged the palace letter had caused confusion over Harry’s role.

The Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 are now less than a year away.

Archie and Lilibet’s school move creates another security headache

The family has also faced difficulties over the children’s schooling.

Harry and Meghan initially selected a prestigious British prep school reportedly costing about $35,000 a year for Archie and Lilibet. But the children were pulled out only two days into the school term after security concerns arose around the heavy traffic associated with the school commute.

Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told Page Six that the logistical problems should not have been unexpected, saying she had been warned locally about the severe traffic around the school.

The school issue also became part of the wider discussion surrounding the couple’s security arrangements. Harry and Meghan are undergoing a new assessment of their publicly funded security after returning to Britain as full-time residents. The Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as RAVEC, is conducting separate risk assessments for the couple.

Meghan’s phone number reportedly leaked in school parents’ chat

The school transition brought another security concern when Meghan’s personal cellphone number was reportedly exposed through a WhatsApp group for parents.

Meghan had joined the group after Archie and Lilibet were enrolled at the school. A screenshot from the parents’ chat was subsequently circulated, leading to concern about the exposure of her private contact information.

The incident came as the family was already dealing with questions surrounding security, school transportation and their new life in Britain.

Harry’s relationship with his family remains complicated

While Harry has maintained communication with his father, his relationship with his older brother, Prince William, remains particularly strained.

On Tuesday, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told Page Six that William had “washed his hands” of his younger brother following the controversies surrounding Harry and Meghan and their previous remarks about the royal family.

Reports have also suggested that William and his wife, Kate Middleton, intend to keep their distance from the Sussexes.

At the same time, Harry’s relationship with Charles appears to be more complicated than a complete breakdown. The King’s intervention over Uganda’s participation in the Invictus Games provided a notable example of the monarch acting to clarify that he supported the event despite the wider disagreement over Harry and Meghan’s royal status.

Harry’s public life in Britain begins again

For Harry, Thursday’s Invictus gala offered a relatively straightforward return to public life in Britain.

He attended alone, appeared comfortable among supporters of the Invictus movement and gave a short but clearly positive answer when asked about being back in the country.

For Meghan, however, the focus has so far remained largely away from public engagements as the family adjusts to its new circumstances and deals with the practical and security challenges that have accompanied the move.

Harry is expected to continue with a series of charitable appearances in Britain, including events connected to veterans and the WellChild Awards. He is also scheduled to travel to New York later in September for the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting.

For now, his first night back in the British spotlight was centered on a cause he has championed for more than a decade, even as questions about his place within the royal family continue to follow him.