Prince Harry spent over an hour meeting children with serious health conditions ahead of the WellChild Awards ceremony in London on Monday evening. Arriving at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, near Hyde Park and just under two miles from Buckingham Palace, the Duke of Sussex beamed as he began his first official engagement during a four-day UK visit.
The WellChild Awards celebrate the resilience and achievements of seriously ill children and their families. Harry, patron of the charity for 17 years, has attended the event 14 times and retained his role after stepping back as a senior royal in January 2020. At a pre-ceremony reception, he chatted with winners and their families, even joining a playful balloon swordfight. During the ceremony, he will deliver a speech, meet more families, and present an award to an “inspirational child” aged four to six.
WellChild, a national UK charity, supports children and young people with complex medical needs to thrive at home rather than in hospitals. In a statement, Harry said, “For 20 years, these awards have showcased the courage of young people with complex health needs and honored the dedicated caregivers—family and professionals—who support them. Their stories highlight the strength of compassion, connection, and community.”
Earlier that day, Harry visited Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel to lay a wreath and flowers at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, honoring his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the third anniversary of her passing, a Sussexes spokesperson confirmed.
