Prince Harry pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth before attending WellChild Awards

Prince Harry has returned to the UK for a heartfelt engagement, attending the annual WellChild Awards in London just hours after making a private visit to Windsor.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, arrived at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Monday evening with a wide smile, marking his first official appearance during his four-day stay. 

Earlier in the day, he quietly laid a wreath and flowers at the tomb of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, a tribute on the third anniversary of her passing.

At the WellChild Awards, which celebrate the strength of seriously ill children and their families, Harry spent over an hour meeting winners and chatting with their loved ones before the ceremony. 

He even joined in a playful balloon sword fight with some of the children. 

Later, he is set to give a speech and present an award to an “inspirational child” between the ages of four and six.

Harry has served as patron of WellChild for 17 years, making it one of the few charities he retained after stepping down as a working royal in 2020. 

In a statement ahead of the event, he praised the awards’ mission: “Their stories remind us of the power of compassion, connection and community.”

This marks Harry’s 14th appearance at the ceremony, underscoring his long-standing commitment to supporting children with complex health needs.

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