Prince Harry today visited London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel for the WellChild Awards 20th anniversary celebrations and made light of sibling rivalry amid his tense feud with brother Prince William.
Prince Harry’s cryptic ‘challenging siblings’ remark amid tension with Prince William(Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
Prince Harry made a cryptic remark about ‘challenging’ sibling rivalry, just hours after he and his estranged brother Prince William separately paid tribute to the late Queen.
The Duke of Sussex flew into the UK this morning for a week of solo engagements in his homeland, which included an appearance at the WellChild Awards tonight.
Earlier, he had been at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, where he laid a wreath of flowers and privately paid his respects to his late grandmother on the third anniversary of her death. Meanwhile, just a 15-minute drive away in Sunningdale, the Prince and Princess of Wales honoured the former monarch by visiting the Women’s Institute (WI), in tribute to the late Queen’s decades-long association with the organisation, the Mirror reports.
Tonight, he attended the WellChild Awards and shared jokes and laughter with seriously ill youngsters ahead of a dazzling awards ceremony recognising their efforts to succeed and thrive despite life-threatening conditions.
When he chatted to Declan Bitmead, 17 – winner of the inspirational young person 15-18 years award, he asked him about family life, asking if he had siblings and the teenager said he had a younger brother.
“Does he drive you mad?” asked the prince, and Declan replied “no, we get on fine” – and Harry responded with a smile “you know what – siblings.”
When told that that the 17-year-old lad from Oxted, Surrey, and his brother attended the same school, Prince Harry said: “you’re at the same school, that sometimes makes it more challenging.”
Declan, suffered a permanent loss of sight and lost 96 per cent of his skin after developing a rare and life-threatening reaction to a common tonsillitis treatment.
Prince Harry joked with the teenager, making him smile by saying he was lucky not to see him as: “I’m bald and ginger and worst of all I’ve got a ginger beard – you’re thinking phew.”
Harry with 17-year-old Declan Bitmead at the WellChild Awards(Image: Getty Images)
The duke also enjoyed a playful balloon sword flight with nine-year-old Gwen Foster. The Inspiration Child aged 7-11 winner, who was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, challenged him to a duel with toys made by a balloon sculptor.
The young girl from Horley gifted him football shirts of her favourite teams for his children – a Wigan Athletic shirt for four year old Lillibet, and a Brighton and Hove Albion top for six year old Archie.
Harry also spoke with six-year-old Esmee, an award recipient at the ceremony, who took an interest in his polka dot tie. Esmee wore a pair of frilly socks, to which Harry commented: “My daughter would love these socks.” Her mum Toni Hynes, told the Duke: “Esmée’s very very excited about it, she woke up at 5.30am saying ‘party, party, party!'”
During his conversation with Grace Tutt, 13, from Sevenoaks – who uses a wheelchair following a bus accident, the Special Recognition winner cleverly reversed roles after his flurry of questions and asked the duke for Netflix recommendations.
Harry revealed he and spouse Meghan, who he lives with in California after the pair relinquished their working Royal duties, enjoy watching political thriller Hostage together and he’s also fond of reality TV programme Love Is Blind.
Prince Harry joked with Declan at the event(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking with a past WellChild winner who is hoping to break into television, Harry marked the 20th anniversary of the awards by saying: “I have always said for many years that I still have a child inside of me, and I think all of us do, and being amongst these kids brings that out of me.
“I think out of all of the qualities that these kids have, without question, their resilience – top still.”
He also addressed attendees at the awards ceremony in a speech: “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 remarked: “I still remember my very first WellChild Awards, 18 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.”
Prince Harry and host Gaby Roslin with the WellChild Award winners 2025(Image: PA)
He continued: “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. 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.
“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.”
Harry’s trip to the UK comes as tensions between him and William persist, with the Prince of Wales refusing any reconciliation with Harry in their years-long feud. However, hopes remain that during his time in the UK this week, Harry might arrange to see his father, the King.
Charles marked the third anniversary of the late Queen quietly at Balmoral yesterday, but is understood to be in London later this week at the same time as his son.
Insiders have said there is determination from both parties to arrange a meeting, with Wednesday being suggested as a possible date. Harry, who has previously expressed his desire for family reconciliation, is said to be ready to ‘drop everything’ to attend a meeting.
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An insider revealed: “As Harry has stated before, he’d love to see his family and be reconciled.” However, both Buckingham Palace and representatives for Harry have declined to comment on when or if a meeting will occur.
Father and son last encountered each other face-to-face nearly 20 months ago when the duke made a transatlantic journey to visit the monarch in February 2024 following news of his cancer diagnosis, but they shared just over 30 minutes together before the King departed to recover at Sandringham.