Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, combined a private visit to his late grandmother’s tomb in Windsor with lively engagements at the WellChild Awards in London on Monday, marking the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
Earlier in the day the duke, 39, made a quiet visit to the King George VI Memorial Chapel within Windsor Castle and laid a wreath and flowers at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb. He then travelled to central London to attend the 20th anniversary of the WellChild Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, an event he has supported for many years.
At the charity event, which recognizes seriously ill children and their caregivers, Harry greeted award recipients and their families and spent time speaking with children honored at the ceremony. Footage shared by the charity showed the duke taking part in a playful balloon-sword fight with nine-year-old Gwen Foster, who presented personalised Brighton & Hove Albion shirts for his children, Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2. Harry told Gwen the gifts were “so good” and that he “loves them,” and said he looked forward to taking the shirts back to California, where his wife, Meghan, and their children remain.
The duke also knelt to speak with six-year-old award recipient Esmee McGlinchey and was seen chatting with previous winners and the families of current honorees. In a statement issued ahead of the event, Harry said: “For 20 years these awards have highlighted the courage of young people living with complex health needs and shone a light on the devoted caregivers – family and professionals – who support them every step of the way. Their stories remind us of the power of compassion, connection and community.”
The WellChild Awards ceremony was held on the same day that other senior royals observed the anniversary. About seven miles away in Sunningdale, Berkshire, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited a local Women’s Institute event. Princess Kate accompanied her husband on that engagement, and William remarked that he “can’t quite believe it has been three years already,” comments that echoed public reflection on the queen’s death.
There was no public meeting between Prince Harry and the Prince and Princess of Wales during the day. It was not announced whether Harry would meet King Charles during the visit.
The WellChild Awards, established two decades ago, honor the resilience of children living with serious health conditions and the families and professionals who support them. The event drew previous award recipients back to mark the milestone anniversary alongside this year’s honorees.
Harry’s visit to the United Kingdom was his first in about five months. Organizers and attendees at the WellChild event praised the families and carers recognized at the ceremony, and the duke’s participation focused attention on the charity’s long-running work supporting children with complex medical needs and those who care for them.