Prince Harry tonight delivered a heartfelt tribute to the courage of seriously ill children and their families at the WellChild Awards in London - on the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The Duke of Sussex told the audience, “For two decades, this event has shone a bright spotlight on the needs of children and young people living with complex medical conditions.
“But more than that, it has celebrated something far bigger - your courage, your resilience, and the extraordinary love of the families and carers who never stop showing up.”
He went on, “I still remember my very first WellChild Awards, eighteen years ago. I walked into the room, and within about three minutes I realised two things: the love and energy in the room was palpable, so too was the unpredictability!
“And second, that I was completely hooked on it all. This night has been a highlight of my year ever since and it’s all because of you guys - these children, this cause, and our Wellchild community,” he said.
The Duke, patron of WellChild for 17 years, was attending the event for the fifteenth time. Before the ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in central London, he spent time with winners and their families, listening to their stories and sharing personal moments.
During the ceremony, Harry presented the Award for Inspirational Child, aged 4–6, to six-year-old Esmée McGlinchey from Stoke-on-Trent, who has endured 35 surgeries in her young life yet is known for bringing smiles wherever she goes.
The Duke praised the charity’s impact over the years, saying: “Since those early days, 311 WellChild Award winners have inspired us with their bravery. Today, a 53-strong team of WellChild Nurses are out there making an enormous difference,” he said.
“Add to that a community of more than 3,600 families, plus support programmes reaching even further, and you see the real impact of what has been built here.”
He urged guests to back the charity’s mission, “More than ever, WellChild’s mission must be our shared priority. Tonight, I’d ask each of you to think about how you can play your part, whether through support, awareness, or action, to help advance this crucial work.”
This year’s winners included 17-year-old Declan Bitmead from Surrey, who overcame a life-threatening reaction to routine treatment and went on to raise more than £25,000 for charity; 13-year-old Grace Tutt from Kent, honoured for her bravery in rebuilding her life after a serious road accident; and nurse Helen Tooby from West Yorkshire, recognised for combining clinical excellence with compassion in her work as a WellChild Nurse.
The evening, hosted by WellChild ambassador Gaby Roslin, brought together families, healthcare professionals, celebrity supporters and charity partners. Guests included Molly-Mae Hague, Ronnie Wood, Jamie Laing and Peter Andre, with entertainment from Joss Stone and the cast of Hercules the Musical.
When he quizzed Declan, winner of the Inspirational Young Person (15–28 years) award, about his family, the teen revealed he had a brother.
Harry asked: “Does he drive you mad?”
When Declan replied, “no, we get on fine,” Harry laughed and said: “you know what – siblings. ”And after learning the brothers attended the same school, Harry remarked: “You’re at the same school, that sometimes makes it more challenging.”
The light-hearted exchange comes against the backdrop of Harry’s own fractured bond with Prince William.
The pair have barely spoken since Megxit. In his memoir Spare, Harry accused his older brother of knocking him to the ground during a fight, while further criticism of the family followed in his Netflix series and his Oprah Winfrey interview.
WellChild Chief Executive Matt James said, “The 20th Anniversary of the WellChild Awards has been an incredible opportunity to shine a light on the courage, determination and spirit of children living with complex health needs, and the commitment of the people who support them.
“Behind every winner’s story is a network of extraordinary individuals who go above and beyond every single day.”
Now in its milestone year, the WellChild Awards continue to spotlight the challenges faced by more than 100,000 children and young people across the UK, while celebrating their resilience and the vital work of families, carers and professionals who help them thrive.
