Before the ceremony, the prince also met award winners and their families including a lively exchange with seven-year-old Noah Nicholson.
Noah, who has complex medical conditions, repeatedly threw his toys on the floor as the prince laughed and chatted to him. When Noah’s mother apologised, the prince said “don’t apologise. I love it.”
Scarlett Cripp, who is ten years old, also met Prince Harry and gave him a set of crystal hearts to squeeze whenever he has a sad day – blue for the duke, green for his son Archie, yellow for his daughter Lilibet and purple for his wife Meghan.
The prince told her he would use them later as a reminder of his wife and children while he was travelling.
Prince Harry has been patron of WellChild for more than 15 years.
Chief executive Matt James said the prince’s involvement with the charity was significant.
“It does two things, it allows us to give our inspiring winners a night they will never forget, a night that will always stay with them,” he said.
“But also, it provides us with a platform to tell their stories which is really important for a group of families whose challenges often go unrecognised and misunderstood.”
