Prince Harry Reduced a Woman to Tears During UK Visit — but the Reason Why Will Melt Your Heart
Prince Harry wrapped up a successful four-day trip to the UK before returning to the US on September 13. The Duke of Sussex had touched down in London on September 8 to attend the WellChild Awards, as he serves as a patron. There, he spent private time with seriously ill children backstage, making them laugh and giggle through their pain. One mother, Toni Hynes, recounted her experience with the Prince, revealing that Harry reduced her to tears with his sweet interaction with her daughter. She also appreciated him for wanting to learn more about her child.
Harry presented the child, Esmée McGlinchey, with an award after spending time with her and her mother backstage. Speaking to the BBC, Hynes recalled, "We had about 10 minutes with [Prince] Harry ourselves. He wanted to know everything about Esmée, her past, and what she’s got coming up in the future." Speaking of the Duke’s touching gesture, she added, "He was talking to Esmée, playing with Esmée. She was playing with his tie and touching his beard. I was crying from start to finish. So much so, Prince Harry gave me a big hug." Harry's sweet moment with McGlinchey was made more special, as she was non-verbal and non-mobile. The six-year-old had spent her early months in intensive care, enduring surgeries on her brain, lungs, and bowel.
Hynes described her child as "an absolute warrior of a little girl" and revealed that she is attending a special needs school where she receives personal support and requires round-the-clock care at home. She spoke highly of the WellChild Awards, which honor seriously ill children, saying that it gave their family "a sense of pride for the immense strength she has demonstrated over the years and everything she has overcome." She continued, "She's celebrated all the time at home, but for a room full of people and across socials and everywhere else to read her story and be inspired by Esmée just as much as we are as a family was just heartwarming."
McGlinchey, who was born prematurely at 28 weeks and has undergone 35 painful surgeries, was awarded the 'Inspiration Child Age 4-6' Award for her strength and resilience. Other recipients included Gwen (Inspirational Child 7-11 Years), Ansel (Inspirational Young Person 12-14 Years), and Declan Bitmead (Inspirational Young Person 15-18 Years). The Duke praised the brave children, their families, and their health care workers during a poignant speech at the ceremony. He said, "The love and energy in the room were palpable, so too was the unpredictability. And second, that I was completely hooked on it all. This night has been a highlight of my year ever since."
Before the award ceremony, Harry met with several ill children, including Declan Bitmead. When Bitmead mentioned having a younger brother, the Duke asked with a laugh, "Does he drive you mad? You know what, siblings." After learning that Bitmead and his brother attend the same school, he remarked, "That sometimes makes it more challenging." Harry became patron of WellChild Awards in 2007, and has remained committed to the charity despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020.