Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's emotional evening at WellChild Awards - see pics

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out for their first joint engagement after their tour of Africa on Tuesday night, attending the annual WellChild Awards at The Royal Lancaster Hotel. It was an emotional evening for Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, as they praised the courage of seriously ill children and their families and thanked those who care for and support them. Before the ceremony, the couple had the opportunity to meet the young winners of each award category and their families. Harry, who has been Patron of WellChild since 2007, presented the Award for Most Inspirational Child (aged 4-6) before delivering a touching speech.

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The charity was one of four chosen by Harry and Meghan to benefit from the generous donations made by the public to mark the birth of their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor in May this year. The Duke and Duchess attended the awards last year ahead of their first major tour of Australia and Meghan looked chic in a black trouser suit by Altuzarra.

Later on in the evening, Meghan spoke about baby Archie and let slip some very exciting details about his first playdate in Windsor and Prince Harry broke down as he delivered a moving speech. Keep scrolling for more!

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's appearance at The WellChild Awards marks their first joint one since their royal tour of southern Africa last month. 

The awards marked a rare night off of parenting duties for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who will have left baby Archie in safe hands at their family home Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. 

The royal couple arrived to the WellChild Awards just after 5pm on Tuesday 15 October. This is Meghan Markle's second year at the annual awards. 

For the special event, Meghan Markle rewore her favourite Parosh deep green dress, which she teamed with brown suede Manolo Blahnik heels, a long camel-coloured coat from Sentaler, and a tortoiseshell bag from Montunas. She accessorised with a pair of Emily Mortimer earrings. 

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were all smiles as they arrived at the WellChild Awards on Tuesday evening, an event very close to the couple's hearts, in particular Harry's, who has been Patron of WellChild since 2007.

Harry and Meghan were given a gift for baby Archie. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also revealed that 5-month-old Archie attended his first play group in Windsor on Tuesday. As the royal couple chatted to young winners at the annual Wellchild Awards in central London, Meghan told one girl and her mother: “I just took Archie for his first [playgroup] class. It was a lot of fun. He loved it.”

Meghan and Harry also revealed that little Archie has red hair! They told a guest: "You can see it in his eyebrows."

Meghan accessorised with a £688 tortoiseshell bag complete with a chic scarf handle by Montunas.

Meghan was gifted a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Meghan and Harry chatted away at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were given bracelets by Lyla-Rose O'Donovan and her father Paul.

Meghan and Harry spoke with Milky Sutherland and her mother Angela.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex look at a t-shirt designed by William Magee and his mother Kelly. Harry, clearly impressed, told William: "I love that you came up with the idea just like that."

The Duchess of Sussex receives a very warm welcome from the Star Primary School Choir.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pose for a group snap with the award winners.

Gaby Roslin, who presented, was on hand to comfort Prince Harry when he got emotional.

Marvin and Rochelle Humes were also in attendance.