Prince Harry Returns to the UK for Inspiring WellChild Awards

Though Prince Harry's life is now in the United States, there's one calendar staple he will always make the journey over to the United Kingdom for: the inspirational and deeply moving WellChild awards. Those of us who have followed Harry for some time know just how close the organisation is to his heart. With the Invictus Games kicking off Saturday, I imagine Harry's team coordinated with the charity to ensure he could be there this evening before making his way to Dusseldorf for the games. Upon arrival at the Hurlingham Club, Harry was greeted by representatives and familiar faces from the charity, including WellChild CEO Matt James.

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People reports on their exclusive conversation with Matt:

'Exclusively speaking with PEOPLE ahead of the event, WellChild chief executive Matt James shared how meaningful it was to have Prince Harry there.

“This was the first time in four years that he has been able to take part in this way,” James says. “We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for his support. We talk a lot about how we punch above our weight as we are a small team doing a lot of good work at a high level, and we wouldn’t be where we are without the work the Duke has done to help us fundraise, attract supporters and providing a platform to shine a light on the issues being faced by families up and down the country.” But also for the hundreds of smiles he has put on faces of WellChild Award winners over the years. It’s such a boost for us,” he adds'.

The WellChild Awards celebrate the inspiring qualities of some of the country’s seriously ill young people and the dedication of those who go the extra mile to keep children healthy and happy, including the outstanding health, social care and education professionals. The Awards play a huge part in highlighting what these families need and the support that is desperately needed to meet the ever-increasing demand.

The Duke of Sussex looked relaxed (and even smiled for the cameras) as he arrived at the Hurlingham Club in Chelsea for tonight’s @WellChild Awards.
This charity supports children with severe illnesses and life limiting conditions. pic.twitter.com/2nW3Na6yuo

— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 7, 2023

In his role as patron, since 2007, Harry has been privileged to bring a smile to the faces of families, carergivers and volunteers at the awards ceremony, which is an event full of heart.

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Before the awards ceremony got underway, Harry arrived quite a bit early to sit down with the amazing families and professionals, hear their stories and offer words of support.

Prince Harry has been WellChild’s patron for 15 years and he looks thrilled to back meeting children 💜 Watch the awards LIVE on https://t.co/SYTPrAZpve pic.twitter.com/zMJdIDZM9B

— HELLO! (@hellomag) September 7, 2023

Harry enjoyed a fabulous performance by Caring Child winner Poppy.

This is the brilliant seven-year-old Poppy who wanted to show Prince Harry her dance moves 💃 She is sister to Paige who requires 24/7 care to manage complex health needs. Poppy has won a Caring Child @WellChild Award tonight🏅 pic.twitter.com/agQLq5Dx5d

— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) September 7, 2023

It's always a joy to learn more about the winners. WellChild shares detailed backgrounds, anecdotes and quotes which paint a vivid picture of the lives lived behind the pictures. Below, Harry is presented with a lovely ice hockey shirt by Blake and his family. 

He’s back! 😍 We’re with Prince Harry at the WellChild Awards - make sure you watch the livestream on https://t.co/SYTPrAYRFG at 6:15 🥰❤️ pic.twitter.com/OpthcYww9y

— HELLO! (@hellomag) September 7, 2023

George Hall is the winner in the 7-11 category, and as you'll see, the title of inspirational is more than deserved.

'11-year-old George Hall has severe health problems meaning he has a tracheotomy, pacemaker, and complete heart block. He is also tube fed and relies on life support machines every night. George has been in and out of hospital his whole life and has undergone hundreds of procedures to help with his complex medical needs. Despite his array of medical issues, George’s spirit is unbreakable, and he always remains brave and positive. It is this positive attitude and drive to live life to the fullest that makes George truly remarkable.

Last year George won the Yorkshire Schools Cross Country Accessible Race final, where he was commended by the organisers for his determination to never give up, something that those who know him often comment on. When he’s at home George enjoys cooking, drama, and football. George is known for his selflessness, always thinking of others before himself. George’s Grandmother, Nicola, said, “Winning this WellChild Award will raise George’s confidence and his spirits massively. He’s been through so much since he was born, but especially over the past year. He’s our hero and his fighting but always fun spirit deserves recognition.”

Parent Carer Award winner Kelvin's story is deeply moving and will resonate with dads and moms all over the world.

Parent Carer winner Kelvin meets The Duke of Sussex ahead of the ceremony this evening. #WellChildAwards @GSK pic.twitter.com/0DhNMcmCeL

— WellChild (@WellChild) September 7, 2023

'Kelvin is a carer from Bodmin who has set up and runs an inclusive social club for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Kelvin’s wife, Sam, nominated him for the WellChild Award to celebrate the phenomenal work he does in his own time for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Inspired by his daughter who has a complex set of health conditions including Cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and scoliosis, Kelvin has set up and now runs a group called ‘Equally Abled’.

The group takes place at a Gaming Cafe called The Pad where Kelvin works and allows young people with complex medical conditions and disabilities to ‘hang out’ like any other teenagers. The group has had such a positive impact on the young people’s lives and as been so successful that now Kelvin has set up a second group called ‘Equally Abled Junior’ aimed at younger people with various complex needs and disabilities. Sam said “He has made a huge difference in so many young peoples’ lives. They are no longer isolated; they belong. They have friends like other teenagers, and they have a safe place to meet and be themselves where they don’t have to suppress their feelings, tics, or sensory needs. I’m extremely proud of him and what he does within our community, and he fully deserves some recognition’.'

WellChild was one of the organisations Harry was most excited to introduce Meghan to as they began their life together. In 2018, just months after their wedding, the Duchess joined Harry for the awards. The couple enjoyed meeting McKenzie from Fife. Afterwards, his mum Amy said of the royal meeting: "It was amazing. They were so lovely. They knew McKenzie was scared of the cameras and they said they didn’t like the cameras either so they turned around. They said he was amazing and to keep going the way he is going and told him to look after me. He’s never going to forget this, even though he’s only four."

A memorable photo of Meghan congratulating twelve-year-old Jake who has spinal muscular atrophy. Despite years of being told he couldn’t audition for theatre roles because of his disability, he didn’t give up and landed the lead role in Tom Fletcher’s The Christmasaurus.

In 2019, the Duke and Duchess attended the awards when Archie was four months old.

As Harry delivered his speech, he became emotional speaking about becoming a father. Of course, those words have additional significance now: "Last year when my wife and I attended we knew we were expecting our first child - no one else did at the time, but we did - and I remember squeezing Meghan’s hand so tight during the awards - both of us thinking what it would be like to be parents one day and more so, what it would be like to do everything we could to protect and help our child should they be born with immediate challenges or become unwell over time. And now, as parents, being here and speaking to all of you pulls at my heart strings in a way I could have never understood until I had a child of my own."

In 2021, Harry joined courageous families and professionals for the 'socially distanced' awards in Kew Gardens amid the pandemic. In a speech, Prince Harry shared the role fatherhood has played in his ever-growing appreciation of WellChild. "Since becoming patron of WellChild in 2007, this organisation and the people within it have held an extraordinarily special place in my heart. I wasn’t a father at the time, and yet the stories of these children and parents transcended that. I didn’t need to be a dad to feel the impact of this invaluable work. Now as a father of two, I feel all the more connected, inspired and in awe of the resilience of these families, who power through indescribable challenges with the support of WellChild."

Last year, Harry and Meghan were preparing to attend the awards in London when, very sadly, the Queen passed away. The couple eventually spent over an extra week at Frogmore Cottage before joining the nation in saying a final farewell to the monarch on the day of the funeral. Tomorrow, marks the one year anniversary of Her late Majesty's passing.

People reports:

'Prince Harry is expected to spend the anniversary of his grandmother's death privately. A representative for the couple tells PEOPLE, "The Duke, the Duchess and their family will privately acknowledge and honor the Queen on the anniversary of her passing."

Of course, the Duchess wasn't far from Harry's mind this evening. 

The Duke of Sussex meets Ruky and asks if he’s looking forward to this evening. We cannot wait to present the awards to Ruky and our Doctor Winner, Richard later! #WellChildAwards @GSK pic.twitter.com/u5NXdXXWG1

— WellChild (@WellChild) September 7, 2023

Hello! reports:

'He told one family how wife Meghan was “very upset that she couldn’t be here” ahead of a “busy week” for the couple, who will attend the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf next week.

Ruky Anighoro, 14, from Thamesmead, Kent, chatted to Harry about his love of Chelsea FC and performed his single, Watch Me Now, which he wrote with his sister Faith and released on his 14th birthday.

“Serious talent,” the Duke said after nodding his head along to the rap. The teenager won the Special Recognition award for his hard work at school despite undergoing many surgeries for his brittle bone disease.

Ruky, who was joined by mum Ufuoma, dad Odafe and Faith for the star-studded event, said: “I think it’s a good thing for Prince Harry to come here to support people that have won an award and who really deserve it.”

Ufuoma said Harry’s presence made it all the more special, adding: “It speaks of his heart, his kindness. And I think of his love also for children.”

Prince Harry presented Violet, the Inspirational Child in the 4 to 6 category, with her award before making a speech.

WellChild notes:

'Six-year-old Violet Seymour was born with a brain condition. In five years, she has undergone multiple brain surgeries and other medical procedures to manage ongoing problems. Violet now has to cope with hydrocephalus, a damaged spinal cord, a condition called neuropathic bladder and breathing problems. With frequent infections she continues to miss time at school and with her friends which she finds hard. Despite this Violet doesn’t complain but faces her adversity with courage, kindness, and humility. When she is in hospital Violet is more concerned about the wellbeing of the other children and tries to make things better for them.

Last year she secretly donated some of her own Christmas presents to children staying in hospital. Violet remains ambitious and keen to try new things, such as gymnastics, even though she knows it will be challenging. Although her brain condition is currently stable, Violet’s family know that this can change at any time, and she may need further operations. Her mother, Holly Kieser, describes Violet as the bravest girl she knows, determined to live life to the full and not ashamed of things like her stoma bag so she can show people that inclusion is important''.

Harry delivered a poignant speech reflecting on the role we can all play in supporting WellChild, why the charity means so much to him and on the eve of the anniversary of her passing, remembering his grandmother.

"She would've been the first person to insist that I still come to be with you all instead of going to her." Prince Harry honours his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth one year on from her passing. Full story here: https://t.co/sYCLyZIKHb pic.twitter.com/4aKNQywjnD

— HELLO! (@hellomag) September 7, 2023

Town & Country reports:

'Reminding the audience that he was unable to attend last year’s awards as Queen Elizabeth died that same day, the Duke said, “she would have been the first person to insist that I still come to be with you all instead of going to her. And that's precisely why I know, exactly one year on, that she is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we're together continuing to spotlight such an incredible community."

You can watch the awards ceremony (with Harry's speech in full beginning at 2:12:00) on Hello!'s livestream video.

If you would like to donate to WellChild, to support their vital work, please click here.

We are having an amazing evening at the #WellChildAwards, in association with @GSK. Here are our favourite moments so far. If you’ve been enjoying the LIVE stream, please consider a donation to help us support even more children with complex health needs. https://t.co/6qyvOAkONe pic.twitter.com/SAS3Eqwz0y

— WellChild (@WellChild) September 7, 2023

On Saturday, the Invictus Games 2023 will kick off in style with the opening ceremony. I understand we can expect to see Meghan joining Harry a couple of days later. She will join him for the remainder of the games including the closing ceremony.