In a heartfelt move, Prince Harry is set to return to London next month to attend the WellChild Awards, an event that holds a special place in his heart. The ceremony is scheduled for September 7th, notably the eve of the first death anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II.
WellChild, the national charity dedicated to the welfare of seriously ill children and their families, confirmed the Duke of Sussex's attendance in a press release. The announcement highlighted, "We are delighted to announce that WellChild Patron Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, will attend the WellChild Awards, in association with @GSK, on 7th September."
Expressing his sentiments, Prince Harry shared that WellChild has been pivotal in transforming the lives of children and young people across the U.K. He emphasized the charity's commitment to ensuring the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of these individuals and their families. "The courage and strength embodied by these young people - and the tireless devotion of those who support them - never cease to inspire me. I'm honoured to attend this year's awards ceremony and celebrate their incredible work," he stated.
WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James, spoke about the increasing number of children and young people in the UK living with long-term, complex medical needs. He expressed that the "WellChild Awards 2023, in association with GSK, will be a unique opportunity to shine a light on the immense challenges they face and to celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit."
The awards ceremony, which will commence at 6:15 p.m. GMT, will be live-streamed by Hello! online, the official media partner for the event. Before the awarding, Prince Harry will engage with each winner and their families during a pre-ceremony reception. Here, he will immerse himself in their stories and contribute to creating lifelong memories. At the WellChild Awards, the Duke will present the "Award for Inspirational Child" (aged 4 to 6) and will also deliver a speech.
Prince Harry has been a patron of WellChild for 15 years, and his dedication to the charity has been unwavering. He has attended 11 award ceremonies in the past, with Meghan Markle accompanying him in 2018 and 2019. Last year, the couple had to cancel their appearance due to the sudden illness of Queen Elizabeth II. The Duke later disclosed that he learned of her passing the same time as the public, just before he reached her Scottish estate in Balmoral.
In a touching gesture last year, Prince Harry made up for his absence at the WellChild Awards with an emotional video call to the winners and their families from his residence in Montecito. Earlier this year, he also shared a video message encouraging nominations for this year's award, expressing his eagerness to meet the winners.
The Duke's return to London for this event, especially on the eve of such a significant anniversary, underscores his commitment to causes close to his heart, even amidst personal challenges and changes in his royal status.
