Harry and Meghan meet inspirational youngsters at WellChild Awards

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have honoured inspirational children battling to lead normal lives despite having serious illnesses.

Harry and Meghan attended an awards ceremony where the youngsters – and medical staff who care for others – were recognised for their efforts.

The couple arrived by limousine at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel for the glittering ceremony staged by the charity WellChild, and among the guests<br>were former England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, and presenters Gaby Roslin and Matt Allwright who also hosted the night.

The duchess, who wore a trouser suit by Altuzarra and a Deitas blouse, and the duke were welcomed by WellChild chief executive Colin Dyer and the<br>organisation’s chairman Andrew Osborne.

Harry has been patron of WellChild – the national charity for seriously ill children and their families – since 2007 and regularly attends the annual awards ceremony.

Winners this year include seven-year-old Matilda Booth, from Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, who has spina bifida, is paralysed from the chest<br>down and has had more more than 40 operations.

She has been praised for her “great zest for life” and her “courage, strength and determination”.

Mckenzie Brackley, from Fife, has also been hailed as inspirational.

The four-year-old, who had to learn to speak, swallow, eat and drink and move again due to acute flaccid paralysis, was praised for being there for other children when they are scared or sad.

“Despite his own problems Mckenzie cheers up everyone when they are low, and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face”, WellChild said.