dad duties
Prince Harry gushes about the ‘joy and challenges’ of being a parent to Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, during speech
PRINCE Harry gushed about the "joys and challenges" of being a parent in his speech at the WellChild Awards.
The Duke of Sussex arrived in London today without Meghan Markle, and spoke about the delights of being a father to Archie, four, and Lilibet, two.
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Speaking at the WellChild Awards, Prince Harry said: “As a father-of-two and three dogs, so basically five souls, I am acutely aware of the many joys and challenges that come with parenting.
“And that’s with kids who aren’t facing health challenges.
“So to the parent carers in this room, you have my sincerest admiration and respect.
“The level of support and responsibility you share daily is unrivalled and without fail.
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“You deserve all the assistance you need.”
Prince Harry, Meghan and their two kids currently live in a £12m California mansion, after the family relocated from the UK.
Harry previously revealed that Archie has inherited his “cheeky” side and likes to run into Zoom calls when he is working.
During an NBC interview, he shared: “What do I love about fatherhood? All of it. I like the chaos, the learning, the reminder of just every element of your self.
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"I love it, I love every part of it. I always wanted to be a dad, I always wanted to have my own kids and now I have two little people who I am responsible for.”
He also revealed he speaks to Archie about his late mum, Princess Diana and said they have photos of her around their Montecito house.
Body language expert Judi James said the mention of his kids in his WellChild speech enabled Harry to share his "wry humour" and shared his "authentic side."
She said: "When he spoke about being a parent and his words and his body language suggested a more realistic view of father hood than some of his more idyllic comments have suggested in the past.
"He grinned as he said ‘As a father of two and three dogs I know the joys and challenges that come with parenting’.
"His gesture of sucking in his lips suggested he is now fully aware of all the challenges now, as well as the joys.
"This was a much more authentic version of Harry the dad than he has presented in public before."
During the speech, Prince Harry also paid tribute to the Queen as he said he knew his grandmother was "looking down on us" - one year on from Her Majesty's death.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, jetted into London for the WellChild awards solo - revealing his wife Meghan was "very upset" not to be with him.
He reportedly has no plans to see the rest of his family while in the UK.
Harry has been a patron of the non-profit WellChild charity for 15 years and is expected to spend time with the charity’s winners and their families.
But the prince is not expected to spend any time with his own family with a palace insider claiming his dad Charles has "no time in the diary" to see his son.
His Majesty is currently enjoying a private break up in the Scottish Highlands, with Charles seen today driving near Balmoral.
Meanwhile, earlier today Prince William visited Pret A Manger in Bournemouth as part of his five-year Homewards project to end homelessness.
And it also seems unlikely that Harry and his brother will be reuniting anytime soon, according to the same source.
Prince William is not thought to have been in touch with the Duke of Sussex for months and today visited Bournemouth - 100 miles away - on Royal duties.
It is not believed he nor wife Princess Kate will see Harry while he is in the UK either.
Harry's visit to the UK coincides with the anniversary of the Queen's death a year ago tomorrow - with Her Majesty dying "peacefully" on September 8 last year.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to mark the poignant anniversary at Balmoral surrounded by family.
Harry is not expected to travel to Scotland for the quiet family gathering.
After the awards ceremony tonight, Harry will travel to Dusseldorf for the Invictus Games.
The visit is the first time Harry has returned to the UK since his father King Charles's coronation - but Meghan is not expected to join him on the UK trip.
Her role at the Invictus Games has also been cast into doubt as she was allegedly deleted from the schedule.
Harry is not expected to have brought his children, Archie and Lilibet for the London trip.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry was this week pictured with Meghan on the first night of Beyonce's tour.
But pictures showed the former Royal looking particularly glum in their private box, while his wife looked in high spirits.
Harry has also been seen at events by himself - with the dad-of-two was brimming with excitement as he watched Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami win at Los Angeles FC.
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Harry was described as a "giddy schoolboy" as he watched a Messi masterclass, despite Meghan not being by his side.
It comes a week after Harry's first solo Netflix show failed to make the top ten.
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