Prince Harry has revealed the winners of his annual WellChild awards for 2026 – the first to be held since his return to the UK.
The Duke of Sussex, 42, stepped out for a solo appearance at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London without his wife Meghan Markle on Monday – marking his second public engagement since landing back in Britain in August after six years abroad in the US.
The event celebrates the achievements and resilience of seriously ill children and their families, with Harry holding the patronage for 18 years.
© Getty ImagesThe charity brands itself as the national UK children's charity "making it possible for children and young people with complex medical needs to thrive at home instead of hospital, wherever possible".
Who are the WellChild winners for 2026?
Margot Jones-Billington – Inspirational Child 4-6
Margot is a remarkable six-year-old with a vibrant personality and a love of One Direction, musicals, and performing shows for her family. Born in September 2019, her life changed dramatically at just 20 months old when she suffered a catastrophic ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM), causing a severe brain bleed and stroke. She began an extraordinary journey of recovery, surviving cardiac and respiratory arrest and living with multiple conditions, including epilepsy, dystonia, hemiplegia, cortical visual impairment, global developmental delay, and sensory processing difficulties.
© Getty ImagesWill Messer – Inspirational Child 7-11
Will is ten years old and is a passionate sports fan and Sunderland supporter. Born with a leg deformity, he is a full-time wheelchair user. He also lives with Crouzon syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting facial development and breathing, alongside a painful skin condition requiring daily care. He also manages hearing impairment and ADHD. Will underwent a major craniofacial operation in 2025, but has continued to fulfil his ambitions, including earning a brown belt in karate, captaining his wheelchair rugby team to national victory, and being named junior rugby player and swimmer of the year, as well as raising awareness of disability in sport.
© Getty ImagesSofia Dobson – Inspirational Young Person 12-14
12-year-old Sofia suffered a stroke at birth and was not expected to survive. She now lives with multiple lifelong conditions, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, dystonia, visual impairment, scoliosis, autism spectrum disorder and significant learning difficulties. Sofia attends the Royal School for the Blind and requires full-time one-to-one support. Her daily life involves frequent hospital appointments, physiotherapy, medication management, and surgeries. She has learned to walk and talk despite all expectations and has even written to the King and Prime Minister to advocate for inclusion.
© Getty ImagesRosanna Cornforth-Revill: Inspirational Young Person 15-18
Rosanna, a 17-year-old from South Yorkshire, lives with multiple complex conditions, including autism, ADHD, Type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease and Irlen’s Syndrome, requiring constant attention to manage her health. Despite this she has achieved academic success and has become a Children’s Commissioner Ambassador, contributing to national discussions on children’s rights and SEND reform, speaking in Parliament, training judges, and working with the Family Justice Board.
© Getty ImagesAmong the other winners are 14-year-old twins Samira and Naima Chung-Graham, two quiet heroes who have helped care for their older sister Nya, who lives with complex medical needs.
Special recognition awards have gone to George Tappenden, while Rebecca Hopwood is the Champion of Children's Nursing, and Rachel Shanahan was awarded Inspirational Nurse.
Prince Harry's WellChild Awards return for 2026
Harry has been patron of WellChild – the national charity for seriously ill children and their families – since 2007 and regularly attends the awards ceremony.
The engagement is described as "continuing his long association with WellChild as the charity’s patron”, with the awards, which he has attended 15 times, being a "significant part of his annual programme".
© Getty ImagesIn a message on the charity’s website, the Duke said: “It is always a privilege to be part of the WellChild Awards and to meet the extraordinary children, young people, families and professionals whose courage and determination inspire us all.
"This year feels particularly special as we celebrate 20 years of the WellChild Nurse programme; two decades of supporting thousands of children and families and helping them to live more of their lives at home.
"These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that impact, but above all to celebrate the incredible people at the heart of it. Their stories are a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through compassion, connection and community."
