Prince Harry visits Birmingham Children’s Hospital to support WellChild charity

Prince Harry visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital on Thursday to meet patients and staff, commending the work of the WellChild charity of which he is patron, in an engagement carried out during his UK visit, his office said. The visit occurred on the third day of his trip and highlighted the charity’s role in supporting children with complex medical needs.

At the hospital the duke met young patients, spoke with families and embraced a nurse on arrival, where staff greeted him with applause. He praised the WellChild nurses and acknowledged the charity’s coordinated care work between home and hospital.

The visit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the WellChild nursing service, which Prince Harry helped to fund and for which he became patron in 2007. More than 50 nurses are funded by WellChild, including specialists like Nicky Holt who work with ventilated children.

Earlier in the week the duke’s UK trip was marked by legal and logistical developments after he lost a court case against Associated Newspapers over unlawful information gathering claims. That ruling overshadowed his first engagement and was followed by confusion about his planned accommodation at Buckingham Palace, according to statements from both his team and the Palace.

On Wednesday an event in London connected to the Invictus Games proceeded without press access, and on Thursday a train named Spirit of Invictus was unveiled at Euston Station for the route to Birmingham, which will host next year’s games for injured service personnel. The train launch underlined promotional activity ahead of the event.

Security arrangements affected family attendance in London, and Prince Harry did not bring Meghan, Archie or Lilibet to those events. His team said their participation later in the week had not been ruled out, and no confirmation has been released about whether they will attend engagements in Birmingham or meet King Charles during this visit.

The duke’s hospital engagement focused on WellChild’s services and the charity’s contribution to children’s care, reinforcing his longstanding patronage and the charity’s continued role in supporting families of children with complex health needs.