Prince Harry Says He’s ‘Honored’ to Return to U.K. for ‘Incredible’ Family Charity Close to His Heart

On Monday, Sept. 30. The Duke of Sussex, 40, will be guest of honor at the annual WellChild Awards in London. The U.K. charity for seriously ill children — of which Harry is the patron — is one of the few causes he has kept since stepping back from his role as a full-working member of the royal family in January 2020.

In a statement, Harry said he is “honored” to celebrate “the remarkable courage and achievements of children living with complex medical needs” again this year.

“These incredible young people, along with the dedicated caregivers, nurses, and professionals who tirelessly support them, inspire us all. It is a true privilege to recognize such extraordinary individuals,” he added.

The WellChild Awards celebrate the inspirational qualities of children and young people living with serious illnesses or complex medical needs and also reward the dedicated love and service of those close to them or who care for them.

Harry, who has been associated with the charity for 16 years, regularly attends the gala, spending meaningful quality time with the youngsters and their families and carers beforehand and giving a speech. This year he is also presenting the Award for Inspirational Child (aged 4-6).

The Duke of Sussex’s spokesman could not confirm what else he might be doing while he is in Britain. Whether he sees his father King Charles, 75, with whom relations are strained, also remains to be seen. When Harry turned 40 on Sept. 15, his father’s official social media sites wished him a happy birthday — closely followed by the office of Harry’s brother Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The prince marked his birthday with his family and told PEOPLE via his spokesperson that the best gift “is, without doubt, my kids. I enjoy watching them grow every single day and love being their dad.”

The day before he and Meghan, 43, headed to a charity tennis match, and celebrated their friend Tyler Perry’s birthday.

In July, sources close to Harry told PEOPLE that his ongoing legal battle over the lack of official security for him and his wife Meghan Markle and their children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, makes it tough for him to return to his home country.

He was last in Britain in a surprise visit to attend the funeral of his late uncle Lord Robert Fellowes on Aug. 29. At the time he was reported to have not spent any meaningful moments with his brother William, 42, who was also at the service.

Looking ahead to the WellChild event on Sept. 30, the charity’s Chief Executive, Matt James added in a statement, “Across the UK, an increasing number of children and young people are living with long-term, complex medical needs. Alongside their families, they navigate extraordinary challenges each day. Through the WellChild Awards 2024, in association with GSK, we aim to highlight the immense difficulties they face and to celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit.”

“This event also offers an opportunity to honor the selfless dedication of those who support them – whether it be siblings, parent carers or professionals who have gone above and beyond to give these children the best possible chance to thrive.”

Source: PEOPLE