Prince Harry will likely miss his niece’s christening in July: no big deal?

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Here are some photos of Prince Harry at last night’s WellChild Gala Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Harry went business-casual for the event, with a nice blue suit, crisp white shirt and no tie. This is a great summer look for a prince or a peasant!

As we discussed yesterday, Prince Harry was recently seen looking rather cozy and flirty with actress Jenna Coleman, a brunette. There really was some photo evidence of this flirtation too, which was interesting. My current theory is that Harry is still “single” but he enjoys a good mingle, possibly with ex-girlfriends and possibly with attractive actresses. He’s not currently looking for The One, mostly because he’s about to spend three months in Africa. People Magazine says that Harry will be leaving soon, so he’ll probably miss his niece’s christening.

Prince Harry may be widely tipped as a possible godfather to his niece Princess Charlotte, but he won’t be in attendance when the special ceremony takes place on July 5, PEOPLE has learned. Harry – who was on a royal tour Down Under for Charlotte’s May 2 birth – is likely to be in Africa, at the beginning of his three-month visit to the continent as he pursues conservation work there following his upcoming departure from the army.

While his exit date has not been confirmed, the 30-year-old prince is expected to have said his goodbyes from military life by the end of the month and, in the short term, immerse himself in helping the cause of wildlife in Africa and the ongoing battle against the illegal trade in animal parts.

Prince William and Princess Kate have said that they will welcome family and friends to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Queen’s Sandringham estate for the private christening of their daughter. The church, where the late Princess Diana was also christened, is only a couple of miles from their country home, Anmer Hall.

Harry, who announced earlier this year that he was leaving the army after a decade of service, explained last month that he is eager to join one of South Africa’s top veterinarians to learn more about the cause that is close to his heart.

“For me, it’s three months of hard grafting, working with animals,” he told British newspapers The Sun and The Sunday Times. “To actually get the chance to embed myself with the top vet in southern Africa, travel with him for three weeks and every job he gets called up to do. That’s like my dream.”

It’s also been reported that he will head to Namibia to help efforts to save the black rhino. The palace would not comment on the details of his upcoming plans.

[From People]

Do you think it’s notable that Harry isn’t going to stick around for his niece’s christening? I do not. I do think it’s notable that Harry – famously kid-friendly – barely has any contact with his niece and nephew. But I think this three-month trip to South Africa and Namibia (and probably other countries as well) is more about Harry finally doing something he’s always wanted to do now that he’s resigned from his military career. I’m also assuming he’s just staying in England through this next weekend, which is Trooping the Colour.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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27 Responses to “Prince Harry will likely miss his niece’s christening in July: no big deal?”

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  1. Abbott says:

    Next time my family bugs me about traveling home, I’m going to tell them I’m on a 3-month trip to save the black rhino. Thanks, Harry!

    Can’t knock him for doing work.

  2. Beth says:

    Harry resembles Prince Charles so much; but luckily for him he also looks delectable.

    • *North*Star* says:

      Philip in his hey-day was quite delectable too — Harry apparently takes more after his Granddad than his Papa. 😉

  3. Murphy says:

    He’s missing it to do something important that is a contribution to the Crown and the world.
    When William misses things its because he’s watching football in a pub.

    • Liberty says:

      🙂

    • RobN says:

      If a single William went off to Africa for three months to follow a vet around and have his picture taken standing next to a rhino, people would be having a cow over his taking the entire summer off and wondering why he isn’t cutting the ribbon at the opening of some new senior center in Blackpool.

      • Murphy says:

        William does do this. The press covers up for him.

      • anne_000 says:

        It would be a near miracle if William deigned to spend 10 minutes of his life cutting a ribbon at a senior center in Blackpool.

        If he was working continuously throughout his time in Africa like Harry will be doing, then that would be a near miracle too.

        I think I’d prefer him working continuously somewhere rather than staying at home and having his PR guy tell the world he’s busy.

      • HH says:

        What?! “Single William” got to do quite a bit without complaint. “Married William” gets to do quite a bit without complaint. “Father William” also spends his time quite leisurely for his position. The complaints about William are because he has *never* had a path (IMO). He’s simply putting off royal life, but absolutely soaking up the perks. Harry has been focusing on his military career for the past 10 years or so. Now, *only* because the time consuming activity of being a royal conflicts with going further in the military is Harry taking an extended break. He is entering a new phase in his life and before he firmly plants his feet, he’s having a little fun and time for himself.

  4. Kath says:

    I dunno, is the christening of a niece or nephew that big a deal?

  5. Liberty says:

    Harry rocks and rocks and rocks.

    I wonder if Harry didn’t see his nephew much because envious William would really get cranked off if his own kids also liked Harry better!! Lol. “Dammit you great smacking Ginger oaf, stop reading in Pooh’s voice and be gone!! I banish your ass!”

  6. runCMC says:

    It is kind of curious that he isn’t super close with the kids. You’d think William and Kate would love having him around?

    • India says:

      Kate, definitely, loves having him around.

      • FLORC says:

        India
        Liberty has the BRF fanfiction cornered here.That Kate loves Harry is on par with the cambridges buying babies. No leg to stand on.

      • notasugarhere says:

        She has a flirtatious nature around attractive men. Photos show it, it isn’t just Harry. Princess Royal’s husband, Ben A and the yachting group, men she was sitting with at the Olympics, Harry. Her body language is flirty. That is what she does around attractive men.

        When her husband is standing there ignoring her, clenching his jaw and fists – and her brother-in-law is smiling? He’s the one who gets her attention. There isn’t anything going on, it is just he’s friendly and she’s a flirt.

  7. Velvet Elvis says:

    Unlike William, Harry seems so very comfortable with his royal role.

    • COSquared says:

      It’s because you learn more by participating, doing more than the bare minimum. Haz is more comfortable coz he’s got a sense duty as well.

      • FLORC says:

        You do learn more by actually doing. When William is ready all those bespoke certifications and dinners discussing future duty details will account for very little learned compared to actual practice.

        Harry has already dived in and taken advice. He’s stumbled, but regained balance and learned.

  8. COSquared says:

    He’d do well by stopping over my hometown. I’m ready to take on those duties, baby. HRH Duchess Nobuhle of Sussex?

  9. Astrid says:

    Not a big deal in my book. The best Uncles are always off doing intresting things and coming back from time to time for a visit when the kids are old enough to enjoy it

  10. Yoohoo says:

    I don’t know how much contact hes supposed to have. Maybe they FaceTime or Skype a lot. When I was younger and single I didn’t want to hang out with my 3 year old nephew and newborn niece all the time. I loved them and enjoyed seeing them but little kids weren’t really my thing. I don’t know why so many people expect Harry to be obsessed with his. You can’t do much with a two month old.

  11. FLORC says:

    He’s working. And it’s not like the only time he will ever be able to see his neice is during events.. Nothing wrong here.
    Now, if Harry was taking a sudden and back to back vacation? Yea, we could give the side eye.

  12. *North*Star* says:

    Harry not being being at Charlotte’s christening hasn’t been confirmed (KP declined to comment either way) so this might not even be true. I’ll reserve judgment until then

    ETA: Although I do think it’d be nice if he were there, it’s not the end of the world if he’s not.

  13. m says:

    Its kind of a d**k move on William and Kates part if they scheduled it at a time that he can’t attend. They have access to the entire family’s schedules so things like this dont happen- if Harry can’t attend its because of his brother doesn’t care.

    • notasugarhere says:

      It was announced mid-March that Harry would quit the Army and spend the summer in Africa. Plenty of time to schedule the christening around that if they wanted to, knowing roughly when the baby would arrive.