The Duke of Sussex fought back tears today as he hailed "mums and dads" caring for seriously ill youngsters during the WellChild Awards at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel. Prince Harry welled up when he publicly acknowledged their efforts during a speech at the end of the ceremony that recognised and rewarded youngsters living life to the full despite complex medical needs.
Emotional tribute to parents
In a speech to recipients, their families and some of the WellChild nurses, Harry became emotional after saying: "To all the mums and dads - most of us will never truly know the emotional ups and downs of your day." He had broken down during his 2019 WellChild speech when host Gaby Roslin was on hand to support him, and six years later she came to the duke's side after he said "It's happening again" then joked as she held his arm "That doesn't help that makes it worse".
The duke finished his tribute to parents: "But I sincerely hope that you take strength from nights like this. And while we may not know the detail of your day, in this room and beyond, we recognise the commitment of your care and all that comes with it."
Meeting young winners and fans
Harry traditionally meets recipients before presentations and was showered with gifts - including housewarming gifts marking his return to the UK - and his signature was in high demand. When he first arrived at the hotel, he was met with a barrage of questions from the media including "have you spoken to your uncle in the last few days?" but he did not respond.
At the event, the Duke of Sussex came face-to-face with a mini version of himself when he met young WellChild award winners ahead of the prize-giving ceremony. Will Messer, the 10-year-old winner of the Inspirational Child award, asked the duke to sign a popular Funko Pop "Prince Harry" doll and presented the duke with a silk scarf from his football team Sunderland. The schoolboy's dad, Gary Messer from County Durham, said: "Harry said it wasn't much of a likeness and said he looked like Stewie from the Family Guy cartoon series."
Personal moments with children
The 10-year-old, born with a leg deformity and a genetic condition affecting his facial development and breathing, is a full-time wheelchair user but chatted about his love of gaming with Harry who said "In my day it was Fifa and Call of Duty". Harry also spoke to Margot Jones-Billington, a six-year-old left with a brain injury after suffering a bleed on the brain at ten months, and told her about his son Archie and daughter Lillibet.
He said: "You obviously love sparkles. I have a boy and a girl who are seven and five. My little girl loves sparkles and she loves pink. That's her favourite colour." The young girl, winner of the Inspirational Child award, was wearing sparkly shoes and a pink dress, and the duke asked if he could touch her footwear and said "wow!" as he placed his finger on her shoe.
The awards ceremony comes in the aftermath of the serialisation of his uncle Earl Spencer's book about Harry's mother Diana, Princess of Wales. Charles Spencer has made a series of damning allegations about the King, including the explosive claim that the King said "we'll forget her soon enough" following Diana's death. Missing was wife Meghan, who has not been seen at a public event since the Sussexes returned to the UK late in August.
