The Duke of Sussex shared details about his children and accepted armfuls of homecoming gifts as he returned to the annual WellChild Awards in central London for the first time since moving back to the UK.
Prince Harry spent just over an hour meeting the young winners and their families ahead of a glittering awards ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel and opened up about Prince Archie, seven, and five-year-old Princess Lilibet as he listened to their stories.
“What a beautiful dress, is this the first time it’s ever been worn?” he asked six-year-old Margot Jones Billington, winner of the Inspirational Child 4-6 category for her remarkable resilience in the face of serious illness.
“Where did you get these?” he asked, gesturing at her glittery trainers. “These are amazing, can I touch them? Woah! 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.”
Told Margot was a huge Harry Styles fan, he joked, “Are you upset that I’m not Harry Styles?”
Mum Laura handed over a belated birthday card made by Margot and another card from her younger sister, who both also celebrated birthdays in recent weeks.Â
© Getty Images“Two Virgos?” asked Harry, who turned 42 on September 15. “Excellent.”
Will Messer, winner in the Inspirational Child 7-11 category, asked the Duke to sign a Funko Pop vinyl figurine of himself, then proceeded to hand over gifts including a Sunderland football scarf and a pin badge for his wheelchair rugby team, The Berserkers, which Harry proudly pinned to his lapel.
Spotting his father Gary’s red beard, he told him: “It’s great that we are both gingers.”
© Getty Images“I’m going to have to come and play with you, I’m quite good at wheelchair rugby. Let’s make sure we play on the same team.”
Will was recognised for his extraordinary courage, leadership and enthusiasm while living with several complex conditions. The conversation turned to favourite films and when put on the spot, Harry replied: “Gladiator is pretty special,” but realised it was not one Will, aged 10, would have seen. “Every time my kids want to watch something it’s Minions. I’m obsessed, but not as much as my kids. What about Ice Age? Who doesn’t love the squirrel with his nut?”
Metallica fan Sofia Dobson, 12, from Warrington, presented Harry with four friendship bracelets she had made for his family, inspired by the band, after she met them in July.
© Getty Images“The kids are going to love these,” he said, accepting the bracelets. “They can’t wear jewellery at school, but when they come home…The question I will get it, who is Metallica?”
Praising Sofia for her campaigning work to improve opportunities for other disabled children, he said: “You are here, you look beautiful and you’ve won an award for being so brave… You are amazing to everybody else.”
She said afterwards that meeting the Duke had been “extremely, extremely special”. Mum Sarah added: “I was a bit nervous, but he was lovely. He had lots of time for Sofia.”
© Getty ImagesHarry appeared awestruck as he watched 15-year-old George Tappenden operating his £50,000 iBot wheelchair, which follows his centre of gravity and allows him to navigate steps and kerbs with ease.
“It feels very Transformers,” remarked the Duke as he watched a demonstration. “It’s brilliant, well done, I love that.”
George, who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, a rare and progressive neuromuscular condition, won the Special Recognitions Award for his determination, resilience and advocacy. Alongside his mother Lucy Frost, he has campaigned for access to new treatments and raised ÂŁ300,000 for the cause.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” said Harry after hearing his story. “Good for you.” Learning that George, from Tunbridge Wells, also shared his star sign, he added: “This room is full of Virgos, I love it. I’m always tracking Virgos.”
© Getty ImagesRosanna Cornforth-Revill, 17, was thrilled to meet the Duke. “I can’t believe I’m here. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens tonight. It’s been amazing speaking to Harry and other people.”
Mum Justine, a fan of the royal family, said: “He was absolutely lovely, down to earth, he just put us at ease. He’s a dad, isn’t he? When you are a dad you relate to young people.”
Wellchild nurse Rachel Shanahan, who built a team of specialist nurses at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, gave him a set of “new home” gifts, including a mug with the Brummie phrase “Yes Bab”, a Birmingham-themed tea towel, a keyring for Meghan and some worry dolls for the children for their new start.
Read the full article here
