The Duke of Sussex has made a surprise visit to see a children’s charity’s award winners – the day before he is set to join his brother the Duke of Cambridge at the statue unveiling in honour of their mother.

Harry, who is back in the UK for the first time since the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, visited Kew Gardens in west London on Wednesday for the private WellChild garden party.

He was joined by celebrities including Ed Sheeran, Ronnie Wood, Amanda Holden, AJ Pritchard and Abbie Quinnen.

Harry said: “Since becoming patron of WellChild in 2007, this organisation and the people within it have held an extraordinarily special place in my heart.

“I wasn’t a father at the time, and yet the stories of these children and parents transcended that. I didn’t need to be a dad to feel the impact of this invaluable work.

“Now as a father of two, I feel all the more connected, inspired and in awe of the resilience of these families, who power through indescribable challenges with the support of WellChild.”

He added: “The health of our children, of all of us, could not have been more on the forefront of our minds during the past year.

“And, throughout this time, the WellChild community has set an example for how to show up and act with compassion for each other.

“I could not be prouder to be here, to meet this year’s WellChild award winners, to thank the nurses and doctors for all they do, and to celebrate these amazing families.”

WellChild said the event, which was socially distanced and followed COVID guidelines, featured an afternoon tea and took place on the gardens’ Sir Joseph Banks Lawn.

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