The Duchess of Sussex will not be joining Prince Harry at the WellChild Awards, a charity event that honours the achievements and resilience of seriously ill children and their families.
Since returning to the United Kingdom with her family in late August, Meghan has not been seen at any public engagement. There had been considerable speculation that she would attend the WellChild Awards ceremony in London, which many anticipated to be her first appearance since the move.
Prince Harry recently took part in significant events linked to his Invictus Games on consecutive days, though Meghan was notably absent from these occasions. Reports indicate that while Meghan is seeking to revive her involvement with UK-based charitable organisations, she will not be present at Monday’s WellChild event.
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Prince Harry has been the patron of WellChild, the national charity supporting seriously ill children and their families, since 2007 and frequently attends their awards ceremonies. This particular engagement is described as continuing his longstanding relationship with WellChild as its patron. Having attended the awards 15 times, the event remains a key part of his annual commitments.
In a message published on WellChild’s website, the duke said: “It is always a privilege to be part of the WellChild Awards and to meet the extraordinary children, young people, families and professionals whose courage and determination inspire us all.
“This year feels particularly special as we celebrate 20 years of the WellChild Nurse programme; two decades of supporting thousands of children and families and helping them to live more of their lives at home.
“These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that impact, but above all to celebrate the incredible people at the heart of it. Their stories are a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through compassion, connection and community.”
During the ceremony, Prince Harry is set to meet the winners of this year’s awards along with their families, carers, and healthcare professionals to learn about their experiences supporting children with serious and complex health needs.