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Prince Harry shared a sweet new detail about 5-year-old Princess Lilibet while bonding with a young honoree at the WellChild Awards
The Duke of Sussex became visibly emotional while paying tribute to the parents caring for seriously ill children during his speech
Harry attended the London event solo as Meghan Markle has yet to make an official public appearance since the family’s U.K. move
Prince Harry‘s own children weren’t far from his mind during a poignant evening celebrating seriously ill kids and their families.
While meeting young honorees ahead of the WellChild Awards in London on Monday, Sept. 21, the Duke of Sussex, 42, found himself talking about Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5 — and shared a sweet new detail about his daughter in the process.
Chatting with 6-year-old Margot Jones-Billington, who was left with a brain injury after suffering a brain bleed at 10 months old, Harry noticed her sparkly shoes and pink dress.
“You obviously love sparkles,” he told Margot. “I have a boy and a girl who are seven and five. My little girl loves sparkles and she loves pink. That’s her favorite color.”
Prince Harry meets with winner of the Inspirational Child 4-6, Margot Jones-Billington during the annual WellChild Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on September 21, 2026.
Credit: Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP via Getty
Before the ceremony, Harry made his traditional rounds meeting the young honorees and their families — and this year, the usual flurry of gifts included a few housewarming presents, a nod to his family’s recent move back to the U.K.
The evening took an emotional turn during Harry’s closing speech, when he appeared to fight back tears while paying tribute to the “mums and dads” caring for seriously ill children.
The Duke of Sussex grew visibly emotional as he acknowledged the extraordinary demands on the parents whose children were being honored for living life to the fullest despite complex medical needs.
Prince Harry meets with winner of the Inspirational Child 7-11, Will Messer and his father during the annual WellChild Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on September 21, 2026.
Credit: Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP via Getty
“These Awards are always a very special evening because they give us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate an extraordinary group of children and young people living with complex medical needs, as well as the incredible families who give it everything they’ve got every single day,” he said.
“It is, of course, about helping children to leave hospital and return home. But it is about so much more than that. It is about giving children and young people the confidence and support to thrive at home, at school and within their communities,” he continued. “It’s about support parents in every way possible depending on what their needs are. It is giving everything of yourself, everyday, for every person that needs you.”
Prince Harry attends the WellChild Awards in London on Sept. 21, 2026
Credit: Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty
“To all the mums and dads — most of us will never truly know the emotional ups and downs of your day. But I sincerely hope that you take strength from nights like this,” Harry, who has been a patron of the organization since 2007, said. “And while we may not know the detail of your day, in this room and beyond, we recognise the commitment of your care and all that comes with it.”
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Harry attended the event solo as his wife Meghan Markle, 45, has yet to make an official appearance since the family’s move back across the pond last month. She has, however, been spotted out socially, including during a pub outing with longtime friends Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi in Oxfordshire on the same day as the WellChild Awards.
Harry is set to attend Bill and Hillary Clinton‘s Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York City this week, marking his second appearance at the event after taking part in 2024.
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