The Duke of Sussex attended the annual WellChild charity awards on Monday evening at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in west London, where he honoured seriously ill children and their families. Now 42, Harry has served as patron of WellChild for 18 years and retained the role after stepping back from his official royal duties in 2020.

At the event, Harry met several award recipients, including Will Messer, a ten-year-old winner of the inspirational child category for ages 7 to 11, who presented the duke with a Prince Harry doll produced by the company Funko. Harry joked about the figurine’s resemblance, comparing it to the cartoon character Stewie from the television show Family Guy. After Will requested an autograph, Harry asked, “Do you want me to sign it?” and then playfully held the toy up to his face.

The duke also met George Tappenden, 14, who has spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness. George received a special recognition award after advocacy efforts to remain in mainstream education succeeded against plans by Kent County Council to move him to a special school.

In his speech, Harry described the WellChild awards as a “very special evening” that celebrates “an extraordinary group of children and young people living with complex medical needs, as well as the families who support them.” The event provided an opportunity to highlight the resilience and challenges faced by those with serious health conditions.

Harry attended the ceremony without his wife, Meghan. The couple’s children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, recently started at a new school following the family’s relocation from California to the United Kingdom.

Separately, Harry has avoided questions about a memoir written by his uncle, Earl Spencer, which has drawn criticism for revealing private details about their late sister Diana’s relationships with the royal family. Reports have also emerged that the duke is in discussions to produce a documentary about his mother. It is understood that he plans to mark the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death next year by honouring her legacy in what he intends to be “the most meaningful way.”