The royal made a cryptic comment at the WellChild Awards about sibling rivalry after he and Prince William separately honoured the late Queen on the third anniversary of her death
Prince Harry made a mysterious remark about ‘difficult’ sibling relationships a matter of hours after he and his estranged brother Prince William paid separate tributes to the late Queen.
The Duke of Sussex flew into the UK this morning for a week of solo commitments on home soil, which included attending the WellChild Awards this evening. Earlier, he had visited St George’s Chapel in Windsor, where he placed a floral wreath and quietly honoured his late grandmother on the third anniversary of her death.
Meanwhile, just a 15-minute journey away in Sunningdale, the Prince and Princess of Wales commemorated the former monarch by visiting the Women’s Institute (WI), paying homage to the late Queen’s lifelong connection with the organisation.
This evening, he attended the WellChild Awards and shared jokes and laughter with seriously poorly children ahead of a star-studded ceremony celebrating their determination to flourish despite life-threatening illnesses.
During his chat with Declan Bitmead, 17, winner of the inspirational young person 15-18 years award, he questioned him about family dynamic.
He asked whether he had siblings and the teenager responded that he had a younger brother, reports the Mirror.
“Does he drive you mad?” enquired the duke, and Declan answered “no, we get on fine” – prompting Harry to quip with a grin “you know what – siblings”.
Upon learning that the 17-year-old lad from Oxted in Surrey and his brother attended the same school, the duke commented: “You’re at the same school, that sometimes makes it more challenging”.
Declan endured permanent vision loss and lost 96% of his skin after suffering a rare and severe reaction to a common tonsillitis treatment.
Harry lightened the mood with a joke, making the teenager smile. After being informed by the young lad about his limited sight, Harry quipped that he was fortunate 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 also engaged in a playful balloon sword fight with nine year old Gwen Foster. The Inspirational Child aged 7-11 winner, who was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, challenged him to a duel with toys crafted by a balloon sculptor.
The little lass from Horley gifted him miniature football shirts of her favourite teams for his children. Lillibet, aged four, received a Wigan Athletic shirt, while six-year-old Archie was presented with a Brighton and Hove Albion top.
Harry also had a chat with six-year-old Esmée, an award recipient at the ceremony, who took a keen interest in the duke’s polka dot tie.
Esmee sported a pair of frilly socks, prompting Harry to remark: “My daughter would love these socks.”
Her mum Toni Hynes shared with the duke: “Esmée’s very very excited about it, she woke up at 5.30am saying ‘party, party, party!'”
During a conversation with Grace Tutt, 13, from Sevenoaks – who is wheelchair-bound following a bus accident – the Special Recognition winner flipped the script after a series of questions and asked the duke for Netflix recommendations.
Harry revealed that he and his wife Meghan, who now live in California after stepping back from their Royal duties, enjoy watching the political thriller Hostage together and that he’s also a fan of the reality TV show Love Is Blind.
In a chat with a former WellChild winner aspiring to enter the television industry, Harry commemorated 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 those at the awards ceremony, stating: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Earlier, as Harry turned up at the event, he flashed waiting photographers a grin as he arrived at the WellChild Awards at 4pm. He was spotted swiftly exiting the rear of a black Range Rover at a central London hotel just hours after landing in the UK.
He was photographed rapidly opening the car door himself, adjusting his tie as he walked into the event, quickly beaming at the press before welcoming guests at the charity gathering.
Other prominent personalities joined Harry at the children’s charity bash including Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, who attended the event looking dapper in a stylish maroon suit. Ronnie, 78, was joined at the event by his partner Sally Humphreys Wood, 47, who dazzled the gathering wearing a striking bright yellow floral dress.
Other attendees included Peter Andre with wife Emily, alongside Girls Aloud star Kimberly Walsh.
Harry’s visit to the UK occurs whilst tensions between him and William continue to simmer, with the Prince of Wales turning down any attempts at reconciliation in their ongoing dispute spanning several years. Nevertheless, there’s optimism that during his UK visit this week, Harry might arrange to see his father, the King.
Charles observed the third anniversary of his accession quietly at Balmoral yesterday, but is understood to be in London later this week coinciding with his son’s presence.
Insiders have revealed there’s a strong desire from both parties to arrange a meeting, with Wednesday being suggested as a possible date.
Harry, who has previously expressed his wish for family reconciliation, is reportedly prepared to ‘drop everything’ to attend such a meeting. A source revealed: “As Harry has stated before, he’d love to see his family and be reconciled.”
Nevertheless, both Buckingham Palace and Harry’s representatives have declined to comment on if or when such a meeting might occur.
Father and son last saw each other in person nearly 20 months ago when the duke made a hurried transatlantic journey to visit the monarch in February 2024 upon learning of his cancer diagnosis, but their encounter lasted just over 30 minutes before the King departed to recover at Sandringham.
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