Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The Duke of Sussex will return to the UK later this month for a cause close to his heart.
Prince Harry is to attend the WellChild Awards on September 30, in London, it has been announced.
The duke has been patron of the charity for 16 years, which celebrates the inspirational qualities of the UK’s seriously ill children and young people, along with those who go that extra mile to make a difference to their lives.
READ MORE: Princess of Wales returns to work after finishing chemotherapy
The Duchess of Sussex is unlikely to join her husband for the visit, with Prince Harry recently telling an ITV documentary that ongoing security concerns were “one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country”.
The charity said it was “delighted” to welcome Prince Harry back to the UK for the ceremony.
“The Duke will meet our inspirational winners at a pre-ceremony reception before joining them in the main event,” it said in a statement shared today (Wednesday September 18).
Days before his UK return, Prince Harry will be in New York City until the 27th for the United Nations General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week. He’ll also participate in engagements with African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, Travalyst and in promotion of the Archewell Foundation.
READ MORE: ‘Blunt’ question by actress about Prince Andrew’s BBC interview
The duke has been patron of WellChild since 2007 and it is one of a few patronages he was able to retain after stepping back as a senior working royal in 2020.
The Duke of Sussex 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.”
READ MORE: How the Middletons are quietly influencing the royal family’s future
It’s unclear if Prince Harry will be able to see his father King Charles during the visit, or how long the duke will stay in the UK.
The King and Queen will attend the 25th anniversary of Scotland’s parliament two days before, on September 28. They are currently staying at Balmoral Castle.
Prince Harry last saw his father in February when he returned to London hours after the King revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer.
During Prince Harry’s most recent visit to the UK, for the funeral of his uncle Lord Robert Fellowes in late August, he stayed at the Althorp estate – the childhood home of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, at the invitation of her brother Earl Spencer.
Prince Harry last attended the WellChild Awards in 2023, in London.
He was due to speak at the 2022 event, too, on September 8 but that afternoon Queen Elizabeth II’s health dramatically declined forcing Harry to make the dash to Balmoral Castle. Her late Majesty passed away before the duke arrived at the Scottish Highlands estate.
The duke later took part in a call with winners of the WellChild Awards from his home in California.
The WellChild awards were an important part of Harry and Meghan’s life as working royals, attending in 2018 and 2019.
And in 2021, Prince Harry was at the scaled-back awards at Kew Gardens in London, the day before he and Prince William unveiled a statue of their mother at Kensington Palace.