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Matilda Booth, seven, had presented Meghan with the flowers to welcome her and husband Harry to the WellChild Awards.
As the Duke asked whether Matilda’s mother Sharon would get emotional during the evening at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, Meghan, 37, reassured her, saying: “By the way, me too. I won’t be able to hold back.”
Matilda, of Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, who has cerebral palsy, revealed that Harry, 33, made her “pinky promise” to never stop smiling.
Sharon said that the royal couple had made her daughter’s day. “They were just so lovely,” she said.
“It was very exciting. Matilda had watched the royal wedding and was very nervous about meeting them but they completely put us at ease.
“They got down to Matilda’s level and she gave Meghan a posy. But she took one out and handed it back to Matilda and told her to keep it in her memory box. She made her feel so special.”
It was Meghan’s first time at the ceremony for the charity which Harry has supported since 2007. It finds practical ways to help seriously ill children and their families.
Meghan wore a chic black trouser suit by New York fashion brand Altuzarra, with simple pearl and diamond earrings thought to be a gift from the Queen.
Other winners at the gala included four-year-old McKenzie Brackley, from Fife, who was paralysed following a virus.
He shared the Inspirational Child Award (four to six) with Matilda. His mother Amy said of their meeting with the royals: “It was amazing. They were so lovely. They knew he [McKenzie] was scared of the cameras and they said they didn’t like the cameras either so they turned around.
“He’s never going to forget this, even though he’s only four,” she added.
The couple also met Jake Stacey, 12, who has spinal muscular atrophy and landed the lead role in the stage adaptation of Tom Fletcher’s The Christmasaurus last December – despite being told for years that he could not audition for roles because of his disability Evie Toombes, 16, gave Harry and Meghan a copy of her book, Lucy Goes To School, which is aimed at teaching children about hidden illnesses using the adventures of dog Lucy.
And Chloe Henderson, 10, got the scoop of the evening, turning hot-shot reporter to quiz Harry and Meghan on their favourite Disney film.
The exclusive answer was The Lion King, for Harry and The Little Mermaid for the Duchess.
Meghan also recommended the 2016 film Ballerina, revealing: “Harry likes it because she [the main character] has got red hair.”
Guests included former England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, magician Dynamo and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Katie Piper. The evening was hosted by Gaby Roslin and Matt Allwright.
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