[ad_1]
Meghan, 37, followed Prince Harry’s lead as she met seriously ill children at the event in central London tonight.
The Duchess of Sussex was given a posy of flowers from Matilda Booth, 7, from Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire.
She has been praised for her “great zest for life” and her “courage, strength and determination”.
Matilda, who has Spina Bifida and has undergone more than 40 operations, wants to be a nurse when she grows up.
Meghan gave one of the yellow roses from the bouquet to Matilda, asking her to put the flower in her memory box as Prince Harry made a “pinky promise” with the little girl to “never stop smiling”.
Meghan bent down to speak to Matilda and her mother before meeting McKenzie Brackley.
The four-year-old spent three months in intensive care with Acute Flaccid Paralysis following a virus when he was just two-years-old.
He has learnt to speak, eat, drink and move again and smiled as he played with a balloon animal and spoke to Prince Harry, 33, and Meghan.
“Despite his own problems Mckenzie cheers up everyone when they are low, and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face”, WellChild said.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are honouring inspirational children battling to lead normal lives despite having serious illnesses.
Harry and Meghan attended the 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 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 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.
[ad_2]
