Prince Harry has expressed admiration for the resilience and spirit of children facing serious health challenges as he announced the commencement of the 2026 WellChild Awards. These awards are a significant annual event that honors children with severe illnesses or complex medical conditions, as well as the dedicated caregivers who support them.

As the patron of the WellChild charity, Prince Harry shared his heartfelt thoughts in a recently released video, highlighting the anticipation he feels each year in meeting the remarkable children and families through the WellChild 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,” he expressed.

He went on to commend the incredible spirit with which these young individuals tackle their challenging circumstances. “These children and young people are living with complex medical needs – challenges that most of us can barely imagine,” he noted. Despite these formidable obstacles, they consistently approach life with positivity, courage, humor, and an extraordinary zest for living.

Prince Harry emphasized the inspiration found in their strength, saying, “In their smiles, their determination, and their kindness, they show us what strength truly looks like.” His words serve as a powerful reminder of the bravery and optimism demonstrated by these children, providing an example for everyone to admire and aspire to.

‘Yet 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.’ 

Prince Harry paid tribute to sick children ahead of the WellChild Awards 2026 in a touching video calling on the public for nominees 

The Duke of Sussex said: ‘Time and again, they meet life with positivity, courage, humour, and an extraordinary joy for living’

The Duke of Sussex pictured at last year’s awards, play-fighting using swords made from modelling balloons with nine-year-old Gwen Foster

He then invited the public to nominate a sick child or carer for the awards to celebrate their achievements and recognise their hard work, looking for the UK’s ‘most courageous children’ to be celebrated.

More than 100,000 children across the UK live with long-term, complex conditions. 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 since he became patron of the charity 18 years ago. 

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, attended one WellChild Awards alongside her husband Prince Harry 

Prince Harry has long supported the WellChild Awards, of which he is also a patron 

Prince Harry pictured chatting and smiling as he spoke to previous award nominees and winners 

Prince Harry laughed with 13-year-old Grace Tutt (centre), the 2025 recipient of the Special Recognitions award

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. 

The 2025 awards saw national headlines made by winners such as seven-year-old Esmée, an ‘absolute warrior’ who underwent 35 surgeries, and ten-year-old Gwen, an aspiring wheelchair racer living with spina bifida. 

Matt James, WellChild Chief Executive, said: ‘The WellChild Awards are our chance to turn the spotlight on the incredible spirit of the UK’s seriously ill children. 

‘We know there are many unsung heroes out there, from the children themselves to the professionals and families who support them. We want to hear those stories. 

‘A nomination can make a world of difference to these individuals, providing a moment of well-deserved celebration in the midst of daily challenges.’

The awards culminate in a star-studded ceremony in London, which has historically been attended by many of the charity’s celebrity supporters, including the likes of Rod Stewart, Molly-Mae Hague, Jamie Laing, Ronnie Wood and Gaby Roslin to name a few from recent years.

This year will be the 21st anniversary of the awards, which were started in 2005 in association with GSK.