Firts-Time Dad, Prince Harry Tears Up As He Recalls Wife, Meghan Markle’s Pregnancy Moment

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, broke down in tears as he revealed how he and his wife, Meghan Markle felt knowing there could be a possibility of her giving birth to an ill child.

Last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the WellChild Awards in London, a ceremony that celebrates exceptional children with severe illnesses, their families as well as their caregivers. And the event proved emotional for Harry, who’s been a patron of the WellChild charity since 2007, as People reports.

Last year, Harry and Meghan attended the event as expectant parents, though the general public didn’t yet know the happy news. Recalling last year’s ceremony as he gave an emotional speech, Harry had to choke back tears.

“Last year, when my wife and I attended, we knew we were expecting our first child—no one else did at the time, but we did—and I remember…” the new dad said, before his emotions overcame him. As he swallowed his tears, the audience broke into applause.

Harry continued:

“I remember squeezing Meghan’s hand so tight during the awards, both of us thinking what it would be like to be parents one day. And more so, what it would be like to do everything we could to protect and help our child should they be born with immediate challenges or become unwell over time.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex became parents for the first time with the birth of their son, Archie, in May. Harry said becoming a father deepened his appreciation for the charity’s work in supporting sick children.

”And now, as parents, being here and speaking to all of you pulls at my heartstrings in a way I could have never understood until I had a child of my own.”

Harry, 35, applauded the families at the award ceremony, saying their example was a greater source of optimism, hope and strength that no amount of parenting advice could ever give.

Speaking of baby Archie: Turns out he’s inherited his dad’s ginger hair. “You can see it in his eyebrows,” Harry said at the awards ceremony.