The Duke of Sussex posed for pictures with nurses during a visit to a children’s hospital where he spoke about the “financial difficulties” facing the NHS.
Harry toured Birmingham Children’s Hospital to celebrate 20 years of the charity WellChild’s specialist nursing programme, helping seriously ill children and their families transition from the hospital to their homes.
Families asked for pictures, and the duke posed for a group shot with around a dozen nurses, telling them: “Thank you for everything you do.”
Harry was there to meet two nurses funded by WellChild, which facilitates children being allowed to leave hospital early by teaching their parents the skills needed to provide care at home, and met some of the young patients.
The Duke of Sussex, Patron of WellChild, poses for a photo with the medical staff during a visit to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Credit: PA
In a lighter moment, the duke revealed his son’s love of toy building bricks when he shared stories with Alec Hill, 12, and his parents.
“Do you know who’s obsessed with Lego? My son Archie – and he’s a master builder,” said Harry, who is rumoured to be planning to bring his young son and daughter to see their grandfather the King some time this week.
The duke, WellChild’s patron, told a room of the charity’s executives, nurses and families: “I don’t know if you hear it enough, the difference that you make every single day is quite literally changing daily lives.”
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He added: “I understand, and we understand, that becomes harder every week with cuts and financial difficulties… just the insanity that seems to be circulating, not just in this country but in general.
“But hospitals like this don’t run without people like you, and families like this can’t be families that they want to be at home without the expertise and the skill set that you’re handing over to them, and WellChild is right at the centre of that.”
While the duke visited Birmingham, his estranged brother the Prince of Wales carried out official events in Hastings and the King and Queen visited London Zoo, where Charles used a stethoscope to help give a “very well-behaved” penguin a health check.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla listen to the heart beat of a penguin using stethoscopes. Credit: PA
Harry’s week-long trip to the UK has generated scrutiny over his accommodation arrangements, after a public disagreement with Buckingham Palace about offers of a royal room, and whether he will meet Charles.
The duke told the parents supported by WellChild that he hoped the government, the NHS and the partnership with WellChild provide “more opportunities for you to make your lives easier”.
“We can’t solve everything, but what we can do is make sure that your lives are more comfortable and that you are trained to be able to take your kids home and not be stuck in the hospital.”
The Duke of Sussex chats with nursing staff to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first WellChild Nurse. Credit: PA
The room laughed when he quipped about hospital meals: “And not because the food is bad, though that might be a reason, but so you can actually have a family life.”
Harry spoke just before he cut a raspberry and white chocolate sponge to celebrate 20 years of WellChild nurses, and joked “I haven’t cut a cake for a very long time”, as he debated where to place the knife.
During the small celebration, he had a public discussion about the World Cup when he quizzed former WellChild patient Wyatt Makwana, 12, about England’s chances in their quarter-final match on Saturday.
Wyatt said: “If England do win against Norway, I don’t think they will get past the semis,” and the duke made the room laugh when he replied: “Let’s hope you’re wrong.”
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