Prince Harry's touching gesture to mother left her in tears during UK visit
The Duke of Sussex attended the 2025 WellChild Awards on Monday
A mother has revealed she was left in tears after a moving encounter with Prince Harry at the 2025 WellChild Awards in London during his UK visit.
Toni Hynes, from Stoke-on-Trent, accompanied her six-year-old daughter Esmée McGlinchey to the prestigious awards ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Monday (September 8).
Esmée, who was born prematurely at 28 weeks and has undergone 35 major surgeries, was honoured with the “Inspiration Child Age 4-6” award for her strength and resilience.
“It was very surreal, very, very surreal,” Ms Hynes told the BBC of the ceremony. “It was just amazing, to sum it up. From start to finish, amazing.”
Prince Harry’s touching gesture at WellChild Awards
The Duke of Sussex, 40, has been patron of WellChild for almost two decades. He personally presented Esmée with her award after spending private time with the family backstage.
“We had about 10 minutes with [Prince] Harry ourselves,” Ms Hynes recalled. “He wanted to know everything about Esmée, her past and what she’s got coming up in the future.”
What followed was a moment that left Toni overwhelmed.
“He was talking to Esmée, playing with Esmée. She was playing with his tie and touching his beard,” she said. “I was crying from start to finish. So much so, Prince Harry gave me a big hug.”
The moment was made even more meaningful by the fact that Esmée is non-verbal and non-mobile due to a number of complex medical conditions.
Ms Hynes called the support at the event “heartwarming”.
Born extremely prematurely, Esmée spent her early months in intensive care. She has since endured surgeries on her brain, lungs, and bowel.
I was crying from start to finish. So much so, Prince Harry gave me a big hug.
Her mother described her as “an absolute warrior of a little girl”.
She now attends a special needs school where she receives one-on-one support and requires round-the-clock care at home.
The WellChild Award, Ms Hynes said, gave their family “a sense of pride for the immense strength she has demonstrated over the years and everything she has overcome”.
Prince Harry’s speech at the WellChild Awards
Speaking during the ceremony, Prince Harry praised the children and families supported by WellChild, as well as the dedicated nurses behind the scenes.
“I still remember my very first WellChild Awards, 18 years ago,” he said. “Within about three minutes, I realised two things. The love and energy in the room was 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.”
WellChild CEO Matt James also spoke about the importance of honouring children like Esmée.
James said: “Young people like Esmée embody what the WellChild Awards are all about. Strength, compassion, and the will to help others thrive in the face of adversity.”
The Duke of Sussex spent four days in the UK this week, beginning his visit at the WellChild Awards on Monday.
On Tuesday, he visited Nottingham’s Community Recording Studio and generously donated £1.1 million ($1.5 million) to BBC Children in Need. The following day, he stopped by the Centre for Blast Injury Studies in London.
However, the moment that captured the most attention was his private meeting with his father, King Charles. The two shared tea at Clarence House on Wednesday evening, marking their first in-person encounter in 19 months.
Although the duke was scheduled to return to California on Thursday evening, he made a surprise visit to Ukraine, where he is set to spend time with veterans.
Read more: Reason King Charles is ‘currently less irritated with Harry than William’ despite ‘rift’
So, what do you think of this story? Let us know by commenting on our Royal Insider Facebook page.
