PRINCE Harry has shared a cute detail about daughter Lilibet as he spoke with ill children at an awards ceremony in the UK.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, made the solo trip to attend the WellChild Awards where he met seriously ill youngsters and their families.
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Prince Harry chats with six-year-old Noah Nicholson at the WellChild AwardsCredit: Instagram
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The Duke of Sussex, 40, also delivered a speech at the eventCredit: Sky News
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Harry’s sweet encounter with Noah, who threw his soft toys at the princeCredit: Instagram
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He beamed as he arrived at the ceremony in the UK without Meghan MarkleCredit: Getty
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Princess Lilibet recently celebrated her third birthdayCredit: PA
At the event, he was upstaged by six-year-old Noah Nicholson, who threw his soft toys at the prince and laughed as Harry picked them up.
Prince Harry noticed that Noah was carrying a giraffe toy named “Raffy” – the same toy the six-year-old had when they first met in 2019.
He said: “Is this the same one? No way! Every parent has a spare. I’ve got at least six spares.
“My daughter Lili has these Lovies.”
Harry jokingly told Noah that he was “so naughty” after he kept throwing “Raffy” and a white cat toy named George in his direction.
The Duke donned a sophisticated navy blue suit, crisp white shirt and vibrant light blue tie.
At the annual London event this evening, Harry gave an award for an Inspirational Child, aged 4 to 6, and delivered a speech.
He hailed a group of “little legends” honoured at the awards ceremony for “uplifting all those around you” despite serious illnesses.
Harry paid tribute to the children and teenagers recognised at the WellChild awards, who act as carers, fundraisers or just carry on with life as they cope with debilitating conditions.
Harry told the young people and their families: “Thank you for your courage, your perseverance, your kindness and of course your humour.
“And thank you for being you and uplifting all those around you. The WellChild Awards is an event that never fails to inspire me.
“The stories of young people who battle against the odds, living lives filled with medical procedures, hospital stays and endless appointments, remind us all of the strength of the human spirit.
“For many of us it is a daily life we can hardly imagine, and yet somehow, the young people I meet are always smiling and every room they walk into seemingly lights up with warmth and positivity.”
It marks the his thirteenth appearance after being made charity patron 16 years ago.
Body language expert Judi James on Harry
This return to the UK shows a return to the Harry of old in terms of his mood and his body language.
This is always an emotional event for him but also one where he genuinely shines, using his skills with children and his authentic passion for the event to allow him to pare back to his best version during this solo appearance.
Overall, Harry appears primarily as a royal again though, arriving with an open-mouthed ‘Oh’ of delighted recognition then using a speedy pace and forward lean to suggest keenness before greeting his hosts with some animated handshakes that suggest he is glad and possibly even relieved to be back in the UK supporting a familiar cause with people he knows.
His rapport signals with the children are as relaxed but powerful as ever here as he sits leaning his torso on his knees to engage with them.
Unlike some royals, Harry’s body language with the children looks easy-going, spontaneous and lacking in any fear as they grab his beard or playfully throw their toys at him.
He seems to know and remember his meetings with them before and he looks genuinely happy in these moments.
His speech involves body language rituals of humility and respect for his audience, like clasped, rubbing and then praying hands that he uses as a baton and the four claps of his hands as he tells them they are ‘little legends’.
Harry has supported WellChild in their work to improve the quality of life for poorly kids and their loved ones.
Ahead of today’s gathering, he said: “I am once again honoured to attend this year’s WellChild Awards celebrating the remarkable courage and achievements of children living with complex medical needs.
“These incredible young people, along with the dedicated caregivers, nurses, and professionals who tirelessly support them, inspire us all.
“It is a true privilege to recognise such extraordinary individuals.”
It is not yet known if Harry will meet up with dad King Charles or Prince William while he’s in the UK.
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The Duke, 40, donned a sophisticated navy blue suitCredit: Instagram
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He is set to present an award for Inspirational Child, aged 4 to 6, and deliver a speechCredit: Rex
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Today marks the duke’s thirteenth appearance after being made charity patron 16 years agoCredit: Getty
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Harry was seen chatting with Beverley Knight and Oti Mabuse in the VIP roomCredit: Instagram
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Harry returned to England without his wife Meghan MarkleCredit: Getty
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Harry and Jimmy Fallon on Tonightmares
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Prince Harry at the Halo Trust night in NYC last week
Harry presented an award to Noah from Grimsby.
The brave youngster weighed just two pounds when he was born prematurely at 27 weeks.
Since then he’s had 28 ops, 14 of which were life-saving procedures, and spent the majority of his childhood on hospital wards.
Noah has cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease and short bowel disease – meaning he requires constant round-the-clock care.
Other famous faces and WellChild supporters are also expected to turn out today.
Harry was seen chatting with Beverley Knight and Oti Mabuse in the VIP room.
WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James commented: “Across the UK, an increasing number of children and young people are living with long-term, complex medical needs.
“Alongside their families, they navigate extraordinary challenges each day.
“Through the WellChild Awards 2024, in association with GSK, we aim to highlight the immense difficulties they face and to celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit.
“This event also offers an opportunity to honour the selfless dedication of those who support them – whether it be siblings, parent carers or professionals who have gone above and beyond to give these children the best possible chance to thrive.”
It comes after Harry spent the weekend alone in New York City – leaving wife Meg and kids Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, in California.
The dad-of-two was spotted going into a tattoo parlour in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Harry had a large security presence alongside him as he exited East Side Ink – where it is understood he did not actually get a tattoo and was there for a promotional stunt, according to Page 6.
He also appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and took on the new Tonightmares attraction.
At the horror house in Rockerfeller Center, the royal was videoed screaming “Jesus, f**k!” as zombie and ghouls jumped out at him.
During the trip he also honoured his late mum Princess Diana at the Halo Trust event.
WellChild Awards
THE WellChild Awards recognises seriously ill children and the support they receive from their loved ones and medical professionals.
Here is a full list of all the 2024 winners:
Inspirational Child
Noah, six
Scarlett, 10
Special Recognition Award
Lewis, 11
Inspirational Young Peron
Jude, 14
George, 16
Inspirational Sibling
Anya, 12
Jody, 16
Parent Carer Award
Angie Turner
Inspirational Nurse
Rhian Greenslade
Outstanding Professional
Simon Bell
WellChild Champion
Andrew Gould
And it is the second time in weeks Harry has returned to England alone after he attended a memorial service for his uncle Lord Robert Fellowes at the end of August.
Royal expert Phil Dampier said: “It is significant that he is doing so much on his own now.
“They are living more separate lives as it looks like Harry is trying to carve out what exactly his future is.
“I suspect Harry has been feeling very much like a spare part.
“He wants more fulfilling roles for himself so we may well be seeing more of him here.”
Meanwhile, The Princess Royal has also been carrying out a public engagement this afternoon.
Princess Anne, who is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Logistic Corps, met with commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Allen.
She also greeted members of the Gurkha Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) Support Battalion.
It came as the royal enjoyed a visit to Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire.
And, King Charles has been in Scotland with Queen Camilla by his side to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament.
The royals visited Holyrood on Saturday to meet local heroes and watch a display of musical performances.
The Monarch delivered a touching speech to Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, and dubbed the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 a “new dawn” for the country.
His Majesty said: “This place has not just thrived.
“But in doing so has borne witness to the enduring relationship between Parliament, the Crown and the people of Scotland.”
He added how the country has always had a “uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself” as he also honoured the memory of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
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The Princess Royal viewed a bust of herself made from icing sugarCredit: PA
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The Princess Royal, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Logistic Corps, walking with commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Gareth AllenCredit: PA
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The Princess Royal also met members of the Gurkha Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) Support BattalionCredit: PA
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The royal visited Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, GloucestershireCredit: PA
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