Since 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have lived in Montecito, California. They famously and controversially stepped down as working members of the British royal family that same year. Tensions have been high between Prince Harry and his extended family ever since.
Harry will return to the UK next month for a very special reason. On September 7, 2023, he is scheduled to attend the annual awards event for WellChild in London. He has been a patron of this charity for seriously ill kids for 15 years. It is one of the only organizations from his past life that he maintains ties with.
At this time, it is not known whether or not Harry will see any members of his extended family. After the event, he will travel on to Germany. There, he will oversee the Invictus Games, which is in its sixth year.
Harry believes strongly in the good work that WellChild does. Ahead of his appearance, he issued a statement praising the organization. “For nearly 20 years, WellChild has been transforming the lives of children and young people across the UK, providing critical care that prioritizes the physical, mental and emotional well-being of these individuals and their families,” he gushed.
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“The courage and strength embodied by these young people — and the tireless devotion of those who support them — never cease to inspire me," he went on to say. "I’m honored to attend this year’s awards ceremony and celebrate their incredible work.”
Harry has a long history of attending this event. He has been present at 11 of them. Meghan was by his side in 2018 and 2019. Harry and Meghan had plans to attend 2022’s event but unfortunately that same day Queen Elizabeth died. Harry made a video instead.
According to WellChild there are more than 100,000 kids living in the UK with serious health issues and needs. The awards honor these amazing and resilient young people. They also highlight their wonderful medical teams and caregivers.
Harry spends time getting to know all the winners at the pre-show ceremony. He is moved by their stories. This year he will present the Award for Inspirational Child (aged 4 to 6.) He will also give a speech.
Matt James, the chief executive of WellChild, is grateful for Harry and Meghan’s continued patronage. It is a worthy cause that continues to need public support. “The number of children and young people in the UK living with long-term, complex medical needs is growing,” Matt explains. “The WellChild Awards 2023, in association with GSK, will be a unique opportunity to shine a light on the immense challenges they face and to celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit.”
Seriously ill children also impact the entire family. It is not easy to be a caretaker and feel powerless. “It will also provide an opportunity to recognize the selfless dedication of those around them, from siblings and parent carers to the professionals who have gone above and beyond to give them the very best chance to thrive,” Matt added.
This cause is especially important to Harry and Meghan since they are now parents themselves. They are proud to support such a worthy organization.
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