Harry steps out for first UK appearance - but Meghan is not by his side

Prince Harry stepped out for his first UK public outing today since moving back to the UK last month, though his wife was not in attendance at the event in London.

Harry was pictured cheerfully smiling at the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner & Awards. There, he met well-wishers and attendees, in particular wounded and ill soldiers and other servicemen and women who were honoured during the event.

A source told PEOPLE that Meghan was absent while she concentrated on childcare – especially the task of making sure children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, were properly settled into their new home and school.

Have Harry and Meghan been spotted in public yet?

Despite having reportedly been in the UK for several weeks, the couple have so far shied away from the limelight – and Meghan is yet to make any appearance.

The pair seem to prefer to stay away from public spaces and instead opt to control what images are released by posting updates on Instagram.

Harry is known to have attended Tower Bridge Studios on September 4 after the studio shared pictures of Harry signing their visitor’s wall.

Explaining why the pair have remained private until now, with Meghan’s absence from Harry’s side being highlighted, one insider said making sure the children were settled 'has been, and remains, their focus. Everything else will fall into place when the time is right'.

“There is a lot to do. They have just moved halfway across the world, and it’s been really busy getting the kids settled,” the source added. “Their focus has been on that, and will remain on that, for the time being. They are happy to be back.”

Since moving to the UK weeks ago, the couple’s schooling choices appear to have descended into chaos after they pulled out of Archie and Lilibet’s prep school at short notice over alleged security fears.

The school security fears reportedly centred around the slow-moving traffic encountered by the family during the 60-minute journey.

The drive apparently left Archie and Lilibet like ‘sitting ducks’ said insiders, after their vehicle was separated from Harry and Meghan’s convoy.

A spokesperson for the couple told PEOPLE, “The decision for the children to move schools was taken following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements.”

“The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family,” the spokesperson added. “This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.”

What to know about Harry and Meghan's security

The couple are still at loggerheads with the Home Office over whether they are entitled to taxpayer-financed security while they are living in the UK. The couple lost their right to this type of security after they stopped being senior working royals and moved to the US in 2020.

The King has publicly announced that any enquiries over the couple’s security should be directed to Buckingham Palace.

On Monday, it was revealed that the Sussexes’ security arrangements would be reviewed by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee.