Why it matters: Prince Harry's upcoming solo trip to New York City in September has drawn attention due to its timing, which overlaps with a key summit tied to his brother, Prince William, potentially highlighting the ongoing rift between the two.

The big picture: The Duke of Sussex's visit coincides with both UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week, as well as Prince William's Earthshot Prize event, sparking speculation about the intentionality of the timing.

Key details of Harry's trip:

  • The visit is scheduled during UN General Assembly High-level Week (September 23-27) and Climate Week (September 22-29).
  • Harry will be representing four organizations: African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst.
  • The trip aims to advance his patronages and philanthropic initiatives, including work with The Archewell Foundation.
  • Meghan Markle will not accompany Harry on this trip, staying in California with their children.

The William factor:

  • Prince William's Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit is set for September 24 at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan.
  • William is not expected to attend the event in person this year.
  • Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggests the timing of Harry's trip appears deliberate for extra publicity.

Security considerations:

  • Harry will receive additional security following a reported "near catastrophic" paparazzi car chase in Manhattan in May 2023.
  • The NYPD has committed to enhancing security resources for the Duke and Duchess on future visits to the city.

Context of royal relations:

  • A palace source recently told The Sunday Times that the brothers hadn't spoken in "two years."
  • Their last reported conversation was in September 2022 at Queen Elizabeth's funeral.
  • It's considered unlikely that the brothers would reunite even if both were in New York simultaneously.

What they're saying:

  • Richard Fitzwilliams: "I think the timing was in Harry's mind when he arranged this simply because he knew it would get extra publicity."
  • Harry's spokesperson: The trip is to "advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives."

What's next:

  • The trip will be closely watched for any potential interactions or near-misses between the brothers.
  • Media attention will likely focus on comparing the reception and impact of Harry's engagements versus the Earthshot event.

The bottom line: While officially focused on charitable work, Prince Harry's New York trip has become entangled in the ongoing narrative of royal family tensions, particularly his relationship with Prince William.