The Duke of Sussex shared an endearing moment with a seven-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, who threw his toys out of his pram and laughed while the grinning Prince Harry picked them up.
The Duke met Noah Nicholson – who has complex medical conditions – when he returned to the UK to honour children, teenagers and their parents who have been recognised with awards from the charity WellChild.
At one point, Noah grabbed his beard and showed the prince his prized comfort toys, after winning an award for the most Inspirational Child aged four to six.
Prince Harry arrived in London this afternoon for the annual ceremony as King Charles continues to enjoy his summer break in Scotland.
This will be one of a handful of visits the duke has made to the UK this year, and it is not known if he will reunite with his father, King Charles, on this visit.
The pair last saw each other for a reported 45 minutes in February following the announcement of the king’s cancer diagnosis.
It is believed that the monarch will remain in Balmoral, Scotland, over the coming days, but The Independent has reached out to Buckingham Palace for clarification.
Key Points
- Prince Harry arrives in London for WellChild Awards
- Boris Johnson claims royal family asked him to convince Harry to stay in UK
- Meghan Markle dubbed a ‘demon’ by ex-staff member
- Princess of Wales attends ‘inspiring’ ballet performance as return to duty continues
Prince Harry bursts out laughing as young boy grabs his beard at WellChild charity event
Monday 30 September 2024 20:08
Holly Evans
Boy, seven, grabs Prince Harry’s beard during sweet encounter at awards
Monday 30 September 2024 19:15
Holly Evans
As part of his role as patron of Wellchild, Prince Harry met with families and children, including Noah Noah Nicholson, who has complex medical needs.
He has cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease and other serious health issues, but his mother, Tracey Nicholson, 42, from Grimsby, said he remains happy and positive and lives life to the full.
The seven-year-old brought his prized comfort toys – George the cat and Ratty the Giraffe in the shape of a blanket – and delighted in throwing them on to the floor.
When Ms Nicholson apologised for her son’s antics, Harry, who is WellChild’s patron, replied: “Don’t apologise, I love it.”
Harry recognised Ratty the Giraffe and called the blanket comforter “lovey”, a name used in American, and said: “Every parent has about six spare.”
At one point Noah, who has brain damage and won the most Inspirational Child aged four to six, grabbed Harry’s beard and made him grin.
Harry upstaged by boisterous Noah at WellChild awards
Monday 30 September 2024 18:40
Holly Evans
The Duke of Sussex has been upstaged by a boisterous boy who threw his toys away during an awards night and laughed as Harry picked them up.
The duke met seven-year-old Noah Nicholson – who has complex medical conditions – when he returned to the UK to honour children, teenagers and their parents who have been recognised with awards from the charity WellChild.
Harry was asked by some of the youngsters whether he had a passport, and received gifts for his own children in the US.
He told one winner at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel: “My award is being here with you guys.”
The WellChild awards celebrate the inspiring qualities of some of the country’s seriously ill young people and the dedication of those who keep them healthy and happy, including health, social care and education professionals.
King Charles speaks of royal affection for Scotland
Monday 30 September 2024 18:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles has spoken of his family’s love of Scotland in a speech marking the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament.
In a speech at Holyrood, the monarch said: “We are all, at the end of each day, united by our love of Scotland. Because of its natural beauty, of course, but also because of its strength of character, based as it is on the extraordinary diversity of its peoples, whose range of ideas, skills, energy, passions, and frequently deeply-held beliefs, never cease to inspire me.”
He then noted that his family’s love of the country runs so deep that the late Queen Elizabeth II chose to spend her final days in the country before passing away at their Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire.
Prince Harry arrives in London for WellChild Awards
Monday 30 September 2024 16:15
Emma Guinness
The Duke of Sussex was all smiles as he arrived in London this afternoon for the WellChild Awards.
Harry, 40, is expected to present an award at the prestigious event and deliver a brief speech, having been a patron of the charity since 2007.
Prince Harry explained why he will not bring Meghan Markle to the UK
Monday 30 September 2024 15:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke of Sussex explained earlier this year that he will not bring Meghan Markle to the UK because he fears “an acid or knife attack” inspired by negative tabloid stories.
Harry, 40, has been engaged in a lengthy battle to have his taxpayer-funded security reinstated after it was removed when he stepped down as a working royal.
Speaking on ITV’s Tabloids on Trial, he said: “All it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff, to act on what they have read. And whether it’s a knife or acid, whatever it is.”
“They are genuine concerns for me,” he added. “They are one of the reasons I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”
Harry has returned to London today alone for the WellChild Awards.
King Charles hugged at Holyrood
Monday 30 September 2024 12:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles received a hug from a royal well-wisher while attending an engagement marking the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament.
Yvonne Macmillan, 59, from East Renfrewshire, asked the monarch about his health and offered a hug in light of his recent struggles.
She said: “I asked him if he was feeling better and if I could give him a hug. I actually said to him: ‘Can I hug you?’
“As I hugged him I said: ‘God bless you’, so it was like God giving him a hug.”
Ms Macmillan was attending the event in her capacity as a ‘local hero’ after setting up her Good Causes charity, which helps people in need.
Prince Harry to arrive in London today
Monday 30 September 2024 08:58
Emma Guinness
The Duke of Sussex is set to arrive in London today as he visits the city to attend the WellChild Awards.
Harry, 40, will be present in his capacity as patron for the charity, which celebrates the achievements of seriously ill children living in the UK and their caregivers.
The duke is expected to give a brief speech at the event and present an award.
Samoa’s prime minister urges King to swap suit for ‘island vibe’ during meeting
Monday 30 September 2024 07:00
Holly Evans
The King has been urged to swap his suit for “more of an island vibe” when he joins world leaders at a major Commonwealth summit in Samoa next month, according to reports.
Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has called for those attending the meeting to dress comfortably, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
The King is head of the Commonwealth and for the first time will preside over the gathering of presidents and prime ministers as head of state, during the event hosted by Samoa which will also be attended by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Read the full article here:
King Charles is the ‘loveliest man in the world’, says Camilla’s son
Monday 30 September 2024 04:00
Holly Evans
Queen Camilla’s son, the food critic Tom Parker-Bowles, has revealed his thoughts on spending time with his mother and King Charles in a column with the Telegraph.
Recounting his day as part of their weekly My Saturday, which sees celebrities recount their favourite weekend rituals, Mr Parker-Bowles said he was more likely to see the royal couple during the week, and often visits for a cup of tea.
“I know some people might visit their family for a bite to eat on a Saturday, but I don’t tend to nip down for lunch at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House as my mother is usually in the country at weekends now,” he said.
“Charles, who genuinely is the loveliest man in the world, and I’m not just being oily, knows so much about food and loves his food, as does my mother,” he added.
Palace did not ask Boris Johnson to give Prince Harry ‘pep talk’ over leaving UK
Monday 30 September 2024 01:00
Holly Evans
Buckingham Palace did not ask Boris Johnson to attempt to persuade Prince Harry to stay in the UK, according to reports.
The former PM has claimed in a new book he was urged to give the Duke of Sussex a “manly pep talk” to convince him to stay in the UK and not step back from royal duties.
In his memoir, Unleashed, which will be published on 10 October, Mr Johnson describes “a ridiculous business... when they made me try to persuade Harry to stay. Kind of manly pep talk. Totally hopeless”.
Read the full article here:
Royal biographer explains why people ‘behaved so oddly’ around the late Queen
Sunday 29 September 2024 22:00
Holly Evans
A royal biographer has explained why so many who met the late Queen Elizabeth II found themselves acting so strangely.
Craig Brown told an audience at the Henley Literary Festival - with which The Independent has joined as its exclusive news partner for the second year in a row - about how even the most composed and famous people often found themselves “discombobulating” as they met the monarch.
His biography, A Voyage Around the Queen, paints a picture of the Queen using tales from those who met and knew her during her 96-year life.
Read the full article here:
King reflects on late Queen’s final days in ‘uniquely special’ Scotland
Sunday 29 September 2024 19:00
Holly Evans
King Charles III has reflected on his mother’s final days at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, saying it continues to be a “special place” for the royal family.
Speaking at an event to mark 25 years of theScottish Parliament on Saturday (28 September), the monarch suggested that the late Queen Elizabeth II “chose” to spend her last living moments there due to her well-known love for the royal family’s countryside residence.
Charles highlighted his mother’s adoration for Scotland, especially since the Balmoral estate was where she spent her summers as a child and later in life with her husband, Prince Philip.
Read the full article here:
A ‘manly pep talk’ from Boris Johnson would make anyone leave Britain
Sunday 29 September 2024 18:00
Holly Evans
I have not always felt great sympathy for Prince Harry. The dramatic departure from home; the tell-all interview with Oprah; and the commercialisation of his royal status. All have made it harder to feel for a guy who has been through some terrible times, and whose marriage has put him at odds with his family in a way that is genuinely saddening.
However, the news that Harry was forced to endure a “manly pep talk” from Boris Johnson at the peak of the crisis that ultimately led him to quit Britain has removed any sense of conflict. I now stand with the Duke of Sussex, beyond question.
Unusually, the revelation of this meeting has not come from the chatty prince, but rather from the former prime minister – the latter presumably hoping his memoir might get even vaguely close to Harry’s Spare in terms of sales figures.
Read the full article here:
Prince Harry ‘knows that time is running out’ for royal reconciliation
Sunday 29 September 2024 16:00
Holly Evans
A royal expert has claimed that Prince Harry “knows that time is running out” for a reconciliation with the royal family.
His relationship with the firm has steadily deteriorated since he stepped down as working royal in 2020 and gave several tell-all interviews.
Royal commentator Maureen Callahan told GB News: “He still has tenuous connections with a few friends of his and William’s back in the UK. But he also knows that time is running out.
“Charles is being treated for cancer. He’s an old man. If he does not make his way back into good graces with Charles while he has the chance, he’s never going to have that chance with William.
“But William won’t have it now. He won’t have it at all. William will be the next King, also.”
Samoa’s prime minister urges King to swap suit for ‘island vibe’ during meeting
Sunday 29 September 2024 14:03
Holly Evans
The King has been urged to swap his suit for “more of an island vibe” when he joins world leaders at a major Commonwealth summit in Samoa next month, according to reports.
Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has called for those attending the meeting to dress comfortably, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
The King is head of the Commonwealth and for the first time will preside over the gathering of presidents and prime ministers as head of state, during the event hosted by Samoa which will also be attended by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Read the full article here:
What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Sunday 29 September 2024 12:00
Emma Guinness
Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?
These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family.
Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.
If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
Queen Elizabeth’s blunt response to Prince Harry marrying Meghan Markle
Sunday 29 September 2024 09:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry said that the late Queen Elizabeth II had a very blunt response when he asked for her permission to marry Meghan Markle.
Writing in his 2023 memoir Spare, which is being released in paperback for the first time next month, Harry recalled her less than enthusiastic response.
As a direct heir to the throne, Harry was obliged to seek the monarch’s permission to marry.
He wrote: “I stood completely still, as motionless as the birds in my hands. I stared at her face, but it was unreadable. At last, she replied: ‘Well, then, I suppose I have to say yes’.”
Harry managed to see the bright side though, adding: “She’s saying yes, you muppet! She’s granting permission. Who cares how she words it, just know when to take yes for an answer.”
King Charles praises Maggie Smith’s ‘warmth and wit’ in touching tribute to late film star
Sunday 29 September 2024 06:00
Holly Evans
King Charles III has praised the late Dame Maggie Smith for her “warmth and wit” after the actor’s death at the age of 89.
The monarch shared his statement alongside a photograph of the pair speaking at the Pride Of Britain awards at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in October 2016.
“My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” said Charles.
Read the full article here:
Holyrood guest gives King a hug at event to mark 25 years of Scottish Parliament
Sunday 29 September 2024 03:00
Holly Evans
A woman has said she gave the King a hug as he visited Holyrood “because of him being unwell”.
Yvonne Macmillan, 59, from East Renfrewshire, chatted to Charles as she attended a special ceremony to mark 25 years of the Scottish Parliament.
The King was diagnosed with cancer in February this year, and underwent treatment shortly afterwards.
He has now returned to public duties, with Mrs Macmillan telling the PA news agency: “I asked him if he was feeling better and if I could give him a hug. I actually said to him: ‘Can I hug you?’
Read the full article here:
Duchess of Edinburgh carries out engagements in Surrey
Saturday 28 September 2024 23:00
Holly Evans
The Duchess of Edinburgh was busy this week with a series of community engagements in Surrey.
Her busy schedule was shared on the official royal family Twitter/X account in a post that read: “This week, The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Surrey, engaging with local initiatives.
“At Hale Community Centre, The Duchess met community groups and admired artwork by Creative Response.
“At Mane Chance Sanctuary, The Duchess helped groom and feed horses with @DofE Award students.
“At Parity for Disability, The Duchess joined students for sensory activities and cake decorating.”
Taxpayer-funded grant to monarchy to rise by £45m
Saturday 28 September 2024 20:00
Emma Guinness
The taxpayer-funded grant to the monarchy is set to rise by £45m - a raise being funded by soaring profits from the Crown Estate.
The money is said to be used for ongoing renovations to Buckingham Palace.
The raise will see the Sovereign Grant increase from £86.3m for the years 2024 to 2025 to £132m for the years 2025 to 2026.
King Charles is the ‘loveliest man in the world’, says Camilla’s son
Saturday 28 September 2024 17:30
Holly Evans
Queen Camilla’s son, the food critic Tom Parker-Bowles, has revealed his thoughts on spending time with his mother and King Charles in a column with the Telegraph.
Recounting his day as part of their weekly My Saturday, which sees celebrities recount their favourite weekend rituals, Mr Parker-Bowles said he was more likely to see the royal couple during the week, and often visits for a cup of tea.
“I know some people might visit their family for a bite to eat on a Saturday, but I don’t tend to nip down for lunch at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House as my mother is usually in the country at weekends now,” he said.
“Charles, who genuinely is the loveliest man in the world, and I’m not just being oily, knows so much about food and loves his food, as does my mother,” he added.
King warns of climate change dangers as he marks 25 years of Scottish Parliament
Saturday 28 September 2024 15:58
Holly Evans
Prince Harry screams and swears his way through surprise Jimmy Fallon appearance
Saturday 28 September 2024 13:40
Holly Evans
Prince Harry unexpectedly showed up on Jimmy Fallon’s US talk show – and his appearance left him screaming and swearing.
Harry was invited to walk through a “haunted” maze with the host, and the result was broadcast on Thursday night’s episode of The Tonight Show (26 September).
Based on Fallon’s nightmares, the maze is a New York-based attraction set to feature several rooms filled with actors jumping out at attendees.
Read the full article here:
Charles says Scotland has ‘uniquely special place’ for royal family
Saturday 28 September 2024 12:28
Holly Evans
The King said Scotland “has always had a uniquely special place” in the hearts of his family.
He said: “We are all, at the end of each day, united by our love of Scotland, because of its natural beauty, of course, but also because of its strength of character, based, as it is, on the extraordinary diversity of its peoples, whose range of ideas, skills, energy, passions and frequently deeply held beliefs never cease to inspire.
“From the central belt to the north Highlands, across the islands in Ayrshire, in the Borders, the cities, towns and villages, all the coastal communities, who I wonder, could not fail to be moved by this complex Caledonian kaleidoscope?
“Speaking from a personal perspective, Scotland has always had a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself.
“My beloved grandmother was proudly Scottish, my late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days.”
King Charles marks 25th anniversary of Scottish Parliament
Saturday 28 September 2024 12:06
Holly Evans
The King has marked the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, saying it has more than “thrived”.
Charles and the Queen, during their visit to Holyrood on Saturday, were met by presiding officer Alison Johnstone and deputy presiding officers Liam McArthur and Annabelle Ewing.
The royal couple then greeted Holyrood’s party leaders: First Minister and head of the SNP John Swinney, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton
Addressing the chamber on Saturday, the King said: “This place has not just thrived, but in doing so has borne witness to the enduring relationship between Parliament, the Crown and the people of Scotland.”
Buckingham Palace ‘did not ask’ Boris Johnson to intervene with Harry and Meghan
Saturday 28 September 2024 09:40
Holly Evans
Boris Johnson was not asked by Buckingham Palace to try and persuade Prince Harry to stay in the UK, despite the former prime minister’s claims in his new book.
In a section serialised by the Daily Mail, Johnson claims he was asked to give the Duke of Sussex a “manly pep talk” to convince him to remain part of the working monarchy, which he described as “totally hopeless”.
He alleged that officials from the palace and Downing Street made the request in the belief it might encourage the Duke to change his mind.
However, The Telegraph understands this was not the case, and there was no specific request from the palace for such an intervention to take place.
Prince Harry ‘attempting a gradual re-entry’ to royal fold
Saturday 28 September 2024 06:00
Emma Guinness
Following the Duke of Sussex’s decision to step down as a working royal in 2020, it has been claimed that he is “attempting a gradual re-entry” to the fold.
Harry, 40, is currently in New York promoting several charitable causes on a visit not dissimilar to those undertaken by working royals.
Royal commentator Maureen Callahan told GB News America: “I think what’s happening here is that Harry is attempting to make a very soft, gradual re-entry.
“The paperback of his memoir is coming out next month, and he pulped the extra chapter of additional new information. It seems like a very small but meaningful steps to try to make his way back into the fold.”
What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Saturday 28 September 2024 03:00
Emma Guinness
Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?
These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family.
Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.
If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
Harry and Meghan slammed for refusing to publicly back Kamala Harris
Friday 27 September 2024 21:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have come under fire for failing to use their platform to publicly back Kamala Harris in the upcoming US election.
While the couple have been encouraging unregistered voters to sign up and use their voices, they have not publicly endorsed a candidate in the presidential race.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine: “I don’t know why they won’t publicly back Kamala Harris.
“I only wish they would. They are trying to use their platform for good causes and in the view of any sane person it would surely be an excellent cause to try and persuade people that Trump is a danger to the civilised world.”
James Middleton reveals how Princess of Wales helped him with depression
Friday 27 September 2024 15:00
Emma Guinness
James Middleton has opened up about how his older sister, the Princess of Wales, helped him through depression.
Mr Middleton, 37, is promoting his new memoir about the subject, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, which was published yesterday (26 September).
He told ITV’s Lorraine: “To open up to my family was a very challenging step, so initially I went into therapy, and at the right time my family got involved and I was very fortunate, because they did have to be patient with me.
“It was challenging for them to see me suffer but they understood a lot more than I actually thought.”
Boris Johnson claims royal family asked him to convince Harry to stay in UK
Friday 27 September 2024 12:00
Emma Guinness
Boris Johnson has claimed in his upcoming memoir that the royal family asked him to convince Prince Harry to stay in the UK.
The Daily Mail, which is serialising the memoir, claimed that the pair had a “manly pep talk” ahead of Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the royal family in 2020.
A friend told the publication: “He [said he] thought they were a great asset to the UK and it was a real shame they were leaving when they were doing such great work,” the friend said.
“It was a man-to-man conversation, they were totally alone. But Harry wasn’t for turning – he was unpersuadable by that point.
“Boris succeeded in delivering Brexit, but even he couldn’t stop Megxit.”
Princess of Wales attends ‘inspiring’ ballet performance as return to duty continues
Friday 27 September 2024 10:00
Emma Guinness
The Princess of Wales attended an “inspiring” ballet performance yesterday as she continues her gradual return to duty after completing chemotherapy.
Kate, 42, was forced to step back from her work after being diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer earlier this year.
Praising the performance of Giselle at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London on Twitter/X, the princes wrote: “Congratulations and thank you to @ENBallet and @Sadlers_Wells for the wonderfully powerful, moving and inspiring performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle. Creativity at its best! C.”
Prince Harry makes surprise appearance with Jimmy Fallon
Friday 27 September 2024 09:27
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry yesterday made a hilarious surprise appearance on The Tonight Show that saw him swear and scream his way through a haunted maze with Jimmy Fallon.
The New York-based attraction, based on Fallon’s nightmares, featured several terrifying rooms filled with actors who brought Halloween to life for the pair a month early.
The Tonight Show’s YouTube page said: “Brace yourself for 10 spine-chilling rooms that bring Jimmy’s worst nightmares to life with sinister characters and scares around every corner. Enter if you dare!”
James Middleton provides update on Princess of Wales’s health
Friday 27 September 2024 13:53
Emma Guinness
James Middleton has provided an update on the Princess of Wales’s health now that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment.
Her younger brother, 37, is opening up about his life and family following the release of his new memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.
Speaking on the TODAY program, he said: “She’s doing ok. It’s not for me to share on her behalf, you know, how everything’s going.
“But she’s getting all the right support and focus that she needs. And like anything, it takes time to process.”
Prince Harry’s visa ruling slammed as ‘suspicious’
Friday 27 September 2024 06:00
Emma Guinness
The think tank behind the investigation into Prince Harry’s US visa application has said the decision to keep his visa private is “suspicious”.
Harry’s visa application came under scrutiny following revelations about his prior drug taking in
