The Duke of Sussex made a rare public appearance in the UK to honor the achievements of young people and their families facing serious health challenges. As the patron of the charity WellChild, Prince Harry attended the organization’s annual awards ceremony at a central London hotel. During the event, he praised the children and teenagers being recognized, referring to them as “little legends” who exemplify “the strength of the human spirit.” He added, “Thank you for being you and uplifting all those around you.”
Prince Harry’s wife, the Duchess of Sussex, did not accompany him from their home in California. Since relocating to the U.S., he has made only a few visits to the UK for charity-related events. His most recent visit was in August when he attended a private memorial service for his late uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes.
As with any of his trips to the UK, there is ongoing speculation about Prince Harry’s relationship with the wider royal family. Although it’s believed he arrived in the UK the day before, it remains unclear whether he will meet his father, King Charles, who is currently at Balmoral in Scotland, or his brother, the Prince of Wales, who is in Windsor. Both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have remained silent on his visit.
In his speech during the ceremony, Prince Harry spoke directly to the award winners, calling them “little legends,” and commended the dedication of their families. He said, “As a parent, I know a little about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting, but when I hear about the care that many of you mums, dads, and family members provide—the round-the-clock care, the skills you’ve had to learn, and the battles for support you fight every day—I am truly in awe.”
Before the ceremony, Prince Harry interacted with award recipients and their families, including a memorable exchange with seven-year-old Noah Nicholson, who has complex medical conditions. As Noah repeatedly dropped his toys on the floor, Prince Harry laughed and chatted with him, reassuring Noah’s mother when she apologized, saying, “Don’t apologize. I love it.”
Ten-year-old Scarlett Cripp had a touching encounter with Prince Harry during the WellChild awards ceremony, gifting him a set of crystal hearts to squeeze on difficult days—blue for the duke, green for his son Archie, yellow for his daughter Lilibet, and purple for his wife Meghan. The prince expressed his gratitude, telling Scarlett he would use them as a reminder of his family while traveling.
Prince Harry has been a patron of WellChild for more than 15 years, and the charity’s chief executive, Matt James, emphasized the importance of his involvement. “It does two things: it allows us to give our inspiring winners a night they will never forget, a night that will always stay with them,” James said. “But also, it provides us with a platform to tell their stories, which is really important for a group of families whose challenges often go unrecognized and misunderstood.”
