Prince Harry drops title as he returns to Britain for royal engagement in Edinburgh

The Duke of Sussex dropped a bombshell during one of his final royal engagements at an event in Scotland, as his wife Meghan Markle was nowhere to be seen.

• Harry, Meghan’s new royal snub
• Meghan’s bestie registers website for Harry, Meghan

Prince Harry has started his long, last goodbye to life as a senior royal with an appearance at a sustainable travel charity function.

Travelling by train to the event in Scotland to avoid criticism about his jet setting lifestyle, the Duke of Sussex was warmly welcomed as he moves towards his self-imposed exile from royal events at the end of March.

Prince Harry smiled as he entered the room at the Edinburgh International Convention Centre and hugged one of the guests.

‘Welcome to … Harry’. Picture: AFP

A beaming Prince Harry arrived for a sustainable tourism summit at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Picture: AP

MORE NEWS

Beckham’s surprise gift to Aussie model

Naomi stuns in gender-free runway show

He looked at home and comfortable as he shook hands with others for a cause clearly close to his heart.

Before he took to the stage, host Ayesha Hazarika told delegates: “He’s made it clear that we are all just to call him Harry. So ladies and gentlemen, please give a big, warm, Scottish welcome to Harry.”

The Duke of Sussex was all smiles at the charity event. Picture: AP

Prince Harry went for an informal approach at the event, asking to be called “Harry”. Picture: AP

Prince Harry helped found the Travalyst charity, with the backing of major companies including Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor and Visa.

It was unclear what the future of the alliance will be as the Duke moves to Canada for a new life with his wife Meghan and baby son Archie, who turns one in May.

The function was the start of a week in the UK for Prince Harry, who will meet with Jon Bon Jovi at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London on Friday.

Harry was slammed after he caught four private jets in 11 days after launching the charity last year, which aims to cut carbon emissions.

The charity wants to promote sustainable tourism, which was also a feature of his royal tour of southern Africa last year.

A woman hugs Prince Harry at the summit. Picture: AP

His wife Meghan Markle stayed at home in Canada amid the ‘Megxit’ scandal. Picture: AFP

The program will aim to score flights, accommodation and travel experiences on their impact on the environment.

A Travalyst spokesman said: “Our ambition is to transform travel and tourism so that every holiday people take, every trip they book, will have a positive impact and better protect the destinations and communities they visit.

“Whether it is through the activities people do, where they stay, or how they get there, we are looking for ways to make it easier for everyone to choose, and for the industry to provide, more purposeful and sustainable options.”

But his father-in-law Thomas Markle continues to distract attention from Prince Harry’s charitable causes, launching a fresh attack on Meghan from Mexico.

[e-mail]

Originally published as Prince Harry drops title as he returns to Britain for royal engagement in Edinburgh