Duke of Sussex reveals he would have visited the UK this year had it not been for the pandemic

The Duke of Sussex has revealed that he would have returned to visit the UK this year had it not been for the pandemic.

The Duke of Sussex spoke of his plans to return home in a surprise video call with rugby league players to help celebrate the sport's 125th birthday.

Speaking from his home in Santa Barbara, which he shares with his wife and young son Archie, The Duke said: "We've got a whole Rugby League world cup coming next year.

"I definitely plan on coming back. I would have been back already had it not been for Covid."

It came as the Duchess of Sussex told feminist Gloria Steinem that she was glad to be home in California “for so many reasons”.

The two had teamed up earlier in the week to convince young women to use their vote.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” Ms Steinem told her.

“Me, too, for so many reasons,” said the Duchess.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their last public appearance as working members of the Royal Family at the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on the 9th March.

The Duke, who is patron of the Rugby Football League, talked by video link to players from all sections of the game about what it means to them and led the group in a set-of-six quiz as part of the birthday festivities.

He said: "It can bring so many families together, bring so many people together... it doesn't matter whether you're in the stands, whether you're the groundsman, whether you're a player, whether you're a fan or whether you're a first-time watcher, every single person is bound by this family feeling."

The Duke surprised the group by introducing a special guest - former Wigan and Great Britain captain Ellery Hanley.

Rugby league is one of the few sports that can point to the time and date of its founding - 6.30pm on August 29 1895, when 21 club representatives met at the George Hotel in Huddersfield to resolve a dispute with the Rugby Football Union over broken-time payments to players and voted to break away from the governing body.

The result was the formation of the Northern Rugby Football Union which later became the Rugby Football League, and officials gathered in St George's Square in Huddersfield on Saturday to mark the anniversary.

The function was organised by Kirklees Council, which recently took ownership of the George Hotel which will become home to the new National Rugby League Museum.

International Rugby League chairman Greg Barclay sent his best wishes to the organisers, saying: "This is a proud day for everyone involved in our great sport.

"We have a very long and proud history which deserves to be recognised across the sporting landscape."

The Rugby World Cup is set to take place in England between 23 October and 27 November next year.