Prince Harry issued a video message to support the WellChild Awards on Feb. 28.Photo:WellChild/YouTube
WellChild/YouTube
Prince Harryis speaking from the heart about the WellChild Awards.
On Wednesday, thelongtime WellChild patronjoined the call for nominations in a new video shared toX. The U.K. charity works to support seriously ill children and their families, and the annual awards celebrate the inspirational qualities of the young people and those who care for them.
“The WellChild Awards is our chance to celebrate the extraordinary strength and spirit of young people with complex medical conditions from across the United Kingdom,” said the Duke of Sussex, 39, in a prerecorded clip. “It allows us to shine a spotlight on the resilience and positivity that they demonstrate every single day and to recognize the incredible support from the families, friends and professionals around them.”
“It is such a privilege to honor the immense courage and compassion of this incredible community. But to do that, we need you to take a moment and nominate the remarkable individuals who inspire you,” he continued and pointed at the camera.
“Your involvement makes a huge difference so please join us in celebrating the amazing superstars who will be recognized at the 2024 WellChild Awards,” said Prince Harry with a smile.
King Charles' younger son has been a patron of WellChild for 15 years, and the affiliation is one of the few he retained after stepping back from his royal role in 2020. The Duke of Sussex is a regular at the awards ceremonies, and his wife,Meghan Markle, joined him at the event in2018and2019.
Prince Harry was present forthe most recentWellChild Awards celebration in September 2023, traveling from his California home to be there. Though he arrived solo, he told one family that Meghan was “very upset that she couldn’t be here,“Hello!reported.
Exclusively speaking with PEOPLE ahead of the event, WellChild chief executive Matt James shared how meaningful it was to have Prince Harry there. While the 2022 WellChild Awards were among the charitable events the Duke and Duchess of Sussextraveled to Europefor, things changed on Sept. 8 when news broke thatQueen Elizabethwas critically ill. She died later that day, and the 2023 WellChild Awards fell near the first anniversary of her death.
The Duke of Sussex attends the WellChild Awards on Sept. 7, 2023.Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty
Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
“This was the first time in four years that he [Prince Harry] has been able to take part in this way,” James told PEOPLE, referring to the way plans previously changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for his support.”
Prince Harry attends the WellChild Awards 2023 on Sept. 7, 2023.Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty
Nominations for the next WellChild Awards cycle close on March 18, and the ceremony has historically been held in September or October.
The video message was posted on WellChild’s X page just hours after Prince Harrylost his legal challengeto havepolice security in the U.K.The Duke of Sussex argued that he should have automatic protection for himself and his family whenever they visit the U.K. from their home in California after the U.K. authorities stripped away the right in Feb. 2020, shortly after he and his wife stepped back from their royal roles.
Prince Harry arrives at a London court on March 28, 2023.DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty
In a Dec. 2023 statement, Prince Harry said he “felt forced” tostep back from his royal roleand leave the U.K. in 2020, citing security concerns for his wife and their young children, sonPrince Archie, 4, andPrincess Lilibet, 2.
“The court has also found that there has been no unlawfulness on the part of RAVEC in respect of its arrangements for certain of the claimant’s visits to Great Britain,” the ruling added.
Prince Harry is now going to appeal against the decision.
“The Duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of RAVEC’s own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others in accordance with RAVEC’s own written policy,” a legal spokesperson said in a statement to PEOPLE on Wednesday.
“In February 2020, RAVEC failed to apply its written policy to The Duke of Sussex and excluded him from a particular risk analysis,” the statement continued. “The Duke’s case is that the so-called ‘bespoke process’ that applies to him, is no substitute for that risk analysis.”
“The Duke of Sussex hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal, and makes no further comment while the case is ongoing.”
source: people.com
