Prince Harry charms kids at emotional awards after avoiding William reunion
Prince Harry charmed children by indulging in a playful sword fight with a balloon at the WellChild Awards in London, just hours after touching down in his home country for the first time since April.
The Duke of Sussex arrived at the Royal Lancaster Hotel for the event dressed in a dapper suit as he prepares to give a speech during the awards ceremony on their 20th anniversary.
After posing for a photo opportunity with the Vice Chairman of WellChild, Harry met with some of the children who will be receiving awards during the ceremony. The Duke of Sussex spent time with numerous young kids, giving each of them special attention.
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In one adorable moment shared to WellChild's Instagram stories, Prince Harry met with a young girl named Gwen, who showed off her fancy trainers to the royal before engaging in a balloon sword fight.
Nine-year-old Gwen also gave Harry gifts for his own children, Archie and Lilibet. Gwen gave the Duke of Sussex two gift bags that each contained a purple football jersey, belonging to Brighton Hove & Albion team, with his children's names and ages on them.
Harry told the young girl that the thoughtful gifts were "so good" and that he "loves them", and can't wait to pass them on to his own kids, who have remained in California with Meghan Markle while Harry journeyed to the UK.
Prince Harry also spoke with six-year-old Esmee, who will receive an award during the ceremony, as she inspected the Duke's polka dot tie.
The Duke of Sussex also spoke to numerous parents and carers before the award ceremony kicked off, praising their courage and strength.
To celebrate 20 years of the WellChild awards, winners from previous years were invited back. Prince Harry met with those who had previously been honoured and recalled the years he presented them with awards.
His appearance at the awards comes just hours after Harry touched down the UK and travelled to the late Queen’s tomb in the King George VI Memorial Chapel within Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel, a spokesperson for the Sussexes said. He laid a wreath and flowers and privately paid his respects.
Just miles away his estranged brother Prince William and his wife the Princess of Wales also remembered the late Queen on the third anniversary of her death. They visited the National Federation of Women's Institute (WI), in Sunningdale, just eight miles from Windsor Castle, which holds a special connection to the late Queen.
Harry attendance at the WellChild Awards in London comes in his role as the charity’s patron, a position he has held for more than 15 years.
There has been speculation about whether the duke will see his father the King, who is receiving ongoing cancer treatment and was in Scotland at the weekend.
The visit follows a recent meeting dubbed 'peace talks' by senior aides to Charles and Harry, in what was reported to be a step towards restoring the relationship between the duke and the royal family.
The WellChild awards, which celebrate the achievements and resilience of seriously ill youngsters and their families, are being staged exactly three years since the late Queen, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died peacefully at Balmoral in Scotland on September 8 aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
During the event, Harry will make a speech, meet and talk to seriously ill children and their families and present an award to an “inspirational child” aged between four and six. The duke has attended the awards 14 times before and has held the role of the charity’s patron for 17 years.
The charity brands itself as the national UK children’s charity “making it possible for children and young people with complex medical needs to thrive at home instead of hospital, wherever possible”.
In a statement ahead of the visit, Harry said: “For 20 years these awards have highlighted the courage of young people living with complex health needs and shone a light on the devoted caregivers – family and professionals – who support them every step of the way. Their stories remind us of the power of compassion, connection and community.”