Prince Harry is known for his charitable work and his role as patron of various organisations dedicated to improving lives. The 41-year-old Duke of Sussex visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital on Thursday, July 9, to celebrate a significant milestone for one of his most beloved charities. The visit marked an important moment in his ongoing commitment to supporting children with complex medical needs and their families, despite stepping back from his royal role and relocating to California in 2020.According to PEOPLE, Prince Harry visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital in his role as patron of ‘WellChild’. The occasion was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the very first ‘WellChild’ Nurse, a role created in 2006 and funded in part by Prince Harry. The position was designed to support children with complex medical needs and their families, coordinating care between the hospital and home.
Prince Harry celebrates 20 years of WellChild nursing programme
Prince Harry became patron of ‘WellChild’ in 2007 and has continued to support the charity’s work of improving the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families. He has continued to attend the organisation’s events, including the annual ‘WellChild’ awards in the UK, despite stepping back from his royal commitments and relocating to North America with Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
As WellChild’s patron, Prince Harry met staff and supporters while recognising two decades of the nursing programme that helps seriously ill children and their families.Image credit (Instagram)
‘WellChild’s’ Chief Executive, Matt James, spoke about the visit following the Duke’s time at the hospital. “We are celebrating 20 years of the program this year, and to celebrate that with the Duke, who has contributed to that work, was a really special moment,” James said. He added, “For me, it was the positivity of him coming that was really felt by everyone in the hospital. There was a real buzz around the hospital with people coming out to see him. The NHS is under a lot of pressure and is going through very challenging times. His presence here has helped give everyone a bit of a lift and a morale boost at a time that is really needed. We were delighted.”
Prince Harry reflects on his long-standing charity connection
According to Hello magazine, last year, Prince Harry attended the annual ‘WellChild’ Awards, where he spoke about his longstanding connection to the organisation. “I still remember my very first ‘WellChild’ Awards, 18 years ago—before the beard, the hair, you know how it is—I walked into the room, and within about three minutes I realised two things: the love and energy in the room was palpable, so too was the unpredictability!” he said. “And second, that I was completely hooked on it all. This night has been a highlight of my year ever since, and it’s all because of you guys: these children, this cause and our ‘WellChild’ community.”
The Duke of Sussex visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital as part of his ongoing commitment to WellChild, celebrating the charity’s 20-year nursing programme and meeting healthcare staff and families.Image credit (Instagram)
Prince Harry had also spoken about how the charity took on a different meaning after becoming a father. He reflected on attending the awards in 2018 with Meghan, before they announced they were expecting their first child. “I remember squeezing Meghan’s hand so tight during the awards, both of us thinking what it would be like to be parents one day. And now, as parents, being here and speaking to all of you pulls at my heartstrings in a way I could have never understood until I had a child of my own,” he said.Prince Harry’s hospital visit came after he arrived in the UK on Monday, July 6, and had already made several appearances throughout the week connected to the Invictus Games Foundation and other charitable commitments. Meghan and their children were not present for the visit due to security concerns surrounding their stay in London.
