Prince Harry shares rare update on Archie and Lilibet
Prince Harry has surprised the winners of the WellChild Awards with a spontaneous video call, in which he shared a rare update on his children.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were meant to attend the awards in person on September 8th but that afternoon the Queen's health dramatically declined, forcing Harry to make the dash to Balmoral Castle.
But now, Harry has spoken to winners of the awards and their families from his home in Montecito about the challenges they have been facing.
Harry spoke with Henry Waines, who spent the first 15 months of his life in hospital and has now won the Inspirational Child award in the four to seven category.
The pair joked about their shared name in a sweet exchange.
He said, "My name is Henry. Well everyone calls me Harry. I have no idea why."
"You sound just like my son Archie really. The same little squeaky voice. I love it."
The four-year-old then asked Prince Harry about his two children.
"They're doing great – Archie is very, very busy and Lili is learning to use her voice, which is great."
Speaking with 13-year-old Isabelle Delaney, the duke praised her assistance dog, a Labradoodle called Hope, for helping her get through her tough times.
"We all need a dog that keeps us calm," Prince Harry said.
"I've got three in this house now, so we basically have five children. I've got a black Labrador called Pula, a rescue beagle called Guy, and we got another rescue beagle called Mia."
"And between the three of them, they charge around chasing squirrels and causing all sorts of problems to us every single day.
"But they are also emotional support dogs, 100 per cent, when they're behaving."
Throughout the video call some of the parents and children sent their condolences to Prince Harry following the death of his 96-year-old grandmother.
Harry attempted sign language with 10-year-old Shakeerah Crowther, a survivor of a rare brain infection.
She signed to Harry, "I'm sorry about your grandmother the Queen."
Evelyn Rodger, a children's hospice nurse whose role was funded by the Princess Diana memorial fund, said the late monarch would be "proud".
She told Harry, "I think your mum would be very proud of what that money has achieved.
"And I also think as a mum she'd be very proud of you, Harry."
Harry replied, "That's very sweet, thank you."
The WellChild Awards were an important part of Harry and Meghan's life as working royals.
They attended the awards in 2018 and 2019, which celebrates the inspirational qualities of the UK's seriously ill children and young people, along with those who go that extra mile to make a difference to their lives.
Image credits: YouTube