Harry Breaks Down On Stage As He Remembers Meghan’s Pregnancy
While William and Kate are on their royal tour in Pakistan, back in England, Harry and Meghan attended the annual WellChild Awards.
Even though they were all smiles as they arrived, Prince Harry experienced a nearly tearful moment later in the evening, when he delivered a speech at the event.
Addressing the crowd, Harry said: “Last year when my wife and I attended we knew we were expecting our first child – no one else did at the time, but we did…” Harry, overcome with emotion, trailed off, clearly upset.
After a moments silence, Harry cleared his throat and continued: “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 more so, what it would be like to do everything we could to protect and help our child should they be born with immediate challenges or become unwell over time.
“And now, as parents, being here and speaking to all of your pulls at my heartstrings in a way I could have never understood until I had a child of my own.”
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After needing to break off to fight back tears, while ceremony hostess Gaby Roslin held his hand, he added: “It has been over a decade since I first came to these Awards and every year they never fail to surprise and inspire me. Yet this year, it resonates in a different way, because now I’m a father.”
Earlier, at a reception with families, they received gifts for Archie, including a baby onesie. Photos of the two of them showed Meghan looking adoringly at Harry; they were holding hands when they arrived.
Meghan later joined him on stage for a group photograph with the winners.
The WellChild awards marked Harry and Meghan’s first joint appearance since their royal tour of southern Africa. The WellChild Awards celebrates the inspiring qualities of some of the country’s seriously ill young people and the dedication of those who go the extra mile to keep children healthy and happy, including the outstanding health, social care and education professionals.
For the event at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel, Meghan wore a deep green dress from Italian brand P.A.R.O.S.H., which is the same one she wore for her engagement photos.
She combined it with a long camel coat from Sentaler, and a tortoiseshell bag with a scarf handle from Montunas.
Once the couple arrived, they met with children who were being honoured at the ceremony.
William Magee, one of the award winners, met Prince William last month during a royal visit. His mother told the Liverpool Echo that the prince tried to stoke a brotherly rivalry. “When William told Prince William that he would be meeting Harry he said to him: ‘Tell him that I met you first and that you like me best.’ It was really lovely.” No word on if the message made it to Harry.