Prince Harry has praised sick children for meeting life ‘with positivity, humour and extraordinary joy for living’ as he launched the 2026 WellChild Awards.
The Prince is the patron of the WellChild charity, which hosts annual awards to celebrate children with serious illnesses or complex medical needs alongside the caregivers who look after them.
Prince Harry said in a statement ahead of the opening of this year’s awards: ‘Every year one of the moments I look forward to the most is spending time with the children and families that I meet through the WellChild Awards.
‘These children and young people are living with complex medical needs – challenges that most of us can barely imagine.
‘Yet time and again, they meet life with positivity, courage, humour, and an extraordinary joy for living.
Prince Harry paid tribute to sick children ahead of the WellChild Awards 2026
The Duke of Sussex said: ‘Time and again, they meet life with positivity, courage, humour, and an extraordinary joy for living’
‘In their smiles, their determination and their kindness, they show us what strength truly looks like.’
‘The WellChild Awards is a truly special evening. It’s about celebrating these remarkable young people, it’s about recognising the siblings who so often put their own needs aside to care for a brother or sister,’ he added.
‘And, of course, it’s about honouring the parents, the carers, the nurses and professionals who give so much of themselves every single day with dedication, love and compassion.’
He then invited the public to nominate a sick child or carer for the awards to celebrate their achievements and recognise their hard work. Closing dates for nominations is midnight on March 16.
Last year, the Prince was photographed sweetly jousting with balloon swords as he met the nominees and winners of the WellChild Awards 2025.
Prince Harry delighted youngsters just hours after a solemn solo visit to his late grandmother’s final resting place at Windsor.
The Duke of Sussex, 41, had made a poignant stop at St George’s Chapel beforehand, where he laid flowers and paid his respects privately to Queen Elizabeth II on the third anniversary of her death last year.
But the mood turned joyful later in the day as Harry, dressed in a sharp navy suit and tie, arrived at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the WellChild Awards – an event he has long supported.
There, he was seen warmly interacting with the inspirational children and families being honoured, giving each young guest his full attention.
In one heartwarming moment, shared on WellChild’s Instagram stories, the Duke got into a playful balloon swordfight with nine-year-old Gwen, who proudly showed off her sparkling trainers to the royal.
Gwen had also brought along special gifts for Harry’s children, Archie, four, and Lilibet, two – personalised Brighton & Hove Albion football shirts in purple with their names and ages on the back.
Clearly touched, Harry told Gwen the gifts were ‘so good’ and that he ‘loved them’, adding that he couldn’t wait to take them back to California for his children, who remained in the US with Meghan Markle.