Prince Harry surprises sick kids at WellChild Awards just hours before Wills’ showdown

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PRINCE Harry was the surprise guest at the WellChild Awards this afternoon, HOAR can reveal.

Harry’s appearance at the WellChild Awards comes just hours before he will meet up with his warring sibling Prince William, 39, at the unveiling of the Princess Diana statue in London.

Prince Harry was the surprise guest at the WellChild Awards this afternoon

Harry, 36, landed in London on Friday to ensure he would be able to attend the star-studded ceremony under the government’s five-day Test to Release scheme.

The event, which celebrates inspirational young people living with serious illnesses and those who go the extra mile while caring for them, was originally scheduled for September.

However organisers changed the date to allow Harry, who has been the patron of WellChild since 2007, to attend after learning he would be in the UK.

The ceremony took place at Kew Gardens this afternoon with Harry front and centre.

His attendance at the charity bash comes just hours ahead of his reunion with Prince William

A source said: “WellChild is a charity that is very close to Harry’s heart and the organisers have moved heaven and earth to make this happen.

“His attendance was kept a complete secret and it was an amazing moment when he surprised those in attendance.

“Harry made sure he spent time talking to as many of the children and their families as possible – as well as care givers who were present at the ceremony.

“It was an enormous success and it could not have gone better.”

HOAR previously revealed how Harry was “furious” to lose his royal patronages and military titles after quitting royal duty.

Harry, with Meghan Markle, left, and the Queen, right, has been a patron of WellChild since 2007

He went on to fire back at a statement from the palace, saying he would keep his private patronages.

In a statement at the time Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, 39, said: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.

“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

Harry is understood to want to keep his private patronages in homage to his mother who carried out pioneering charity work when she was alive.

Harry and Meghan during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey

Princess Diana was linked to more than 100 good causes – a legacy which both Harry and William have wanted to continue.

The unveiling of her statue will take place on Thursday in a private ceremony.

Following Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah, those close to the Queen claimed she was “disappointed” by their claims – including a suggestion someone within the royal family had made a remark about the colour of their son Archie’s skin tone before his birth.

Harry arrived in the UK early last week to ensure he would be able to attend the WellChild event

Harry held private talks with Prince William and his wife Kate to “clear the air” face-to-face when he arrived back in the UK for Prince Phillip’s funeral in April.

It was the first time Harry had seen his family since the explosive interview aired worldwide.

Insiders told HOAR at the time how the trio had talked for two hours.

Harry was then reunited with his family at the funeral service, watched by millions.

Not long after he returned to America to be with Meghan, who was pregnant at the time.

She gave birth earlier this month to a daughter, Lilibet.

The naming of the tot led to further rows however, after those close to the Queen denied the couple had told her they would be using her family nickname for their daughter’s moniker.