Prince Harry spoke about the challenges of sibling relationships during his appearance at the WellChild awards, where he celebrated seriously ill youngsters and their achievements. The Duke of Sussex joked and laughed with award winners at the ceremony recognising their efforts to succeed despite life-threatening conditions.
During conversations with the young recipients, Harry quizzed 17-year-old Declan Bitmead about his family life after learning the teenager had won the inspirational young person award for ages 15-18. When Declan mentioned having a younger brother, the duke asked: “Does he drive you mad?”
The teenager from Oxted in Surrey replied that he and his brother “get on fine”, prompting Harry to quip with a smile: “you know what – siblings”. Upon learning both brothers attended the same school, Harry observed: “you’re at the same school, that sometimes makes it more challenging”.
Rare UK visit
The WellChild event marks part of a rare trip to the UK for Harry, who is carrying out a series of charity and other engagements. Earlier that day, he commemorated the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death by laying flowers at her resting place in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
While Harry remembered his grandmother, his estranged brother the Prince of Wales was in the same county less than eight miles away. William was paying tribute to their grandmother at a Women’s Institute gathering in Sunningdale, an organisation with close ties to the late Queen.