The unlikely pair capered about the Birmingham NEC trying their hand at a Laser Run, which involved running around an indoor track before shooting targets with laser pistols. It was unclear who won – or indeed what this was in aid of exactly – but nobody cared.
The Duke also took to the courts for a game of pickleball followed by a rather ferocious wheelchair basketball match.
He later gave a speech joking about his rapid hair loss while also paying tribute to the Invictus competitors and their families whose company he clearly adores.
Then, a surprise development that caught everyone unawares. At 6.40pm, Buckingham Palace revealed that the Sussexes had outsmarted the photographers. The critical reunion that at times last week had seemed a distant dream had finally taken place.
The King and Queen had hosted Harry, Meghan and their children at Highgrove.
It may be a fragile peace, but it was the private family reunion with his “pa” that the Duke had longed for. Surely, all involved in this messy saga breathed a sigh of relief?
Saturday
There was little wonder that Harry arrived at Maxstoke Castle with a spring in his step.
He had seen his wife and children, he had enjoyed afternoon tea with the King, perhaps even shown his children the treehouse he had so loved as a child.
It was hardly surprising that the Duke threw himself into the event with gusto, taking part in a session of “goat yoga”, being pelted with water bombs and sitting down for a candid Q&A session that took in everything from his chosen superpower to how best to deal with grief. In the end, Prince Harry pulled it back. The chaos and rancour were replaced by laughter and hugs.
He finished the week on a high, doing what he does best, cavorting with children, and wearing his heart on his sleeve.
It was yet another glimpse into how his life might have looked – the version of Harry that the public loves.
The legal defeat, which was parked to focus on his charity work, will loom large on his return.
There will be meetings with lawyers, decisions about whether to appeal, the sticky issue of costs. The fight for police protection also continues and he has no intention of backing down.
Elsewhere, he will be looking forward, to a planned UK return this September which he will surely hope is less dramatic, to Invictus 2027 which he fervently hopes his father will attend.
With his career as a “professional litigant” all but over, his charity work largely in the UK, what is next?
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.telegraph.co.uk ’
