Prince Harry Said He Got Very Emotional While Judging This Competition
Prince Harry has revealed that he became very emotional when judging the WellChild Hopes and Dreams: My Life through a Lens photo competition.
As noted on the WellChild charity's official website, the competition aimed to celebrate the opening of the WellChild Art Auction 2021 and saw entries from children all around the United Kingdom who submitted photographs that depicted what life is like for young people and their families living with serious health needs.
Per Entertainment Tonight, the Duke of Sussex acted as the Chair of Judges for this year's competition and has been a patron of the charity since 2007.
"The children and families I've had the honour of meeting over my years working with WellChild have shown incredible optimism, courage, and resilience," Prince Harry said in a statement. "I wasn't only proud to participate as a judge in this exhibition -– I was deeply moved by each and every photograph, as they capture a moment and say so much about their personal story. Every person who is part of the WellChild family is a true inspiration. Congratulations to all the entries and a special cheer to the winners!"
Prince Harry had some help deciding this year's winner
Ruby Smallman, a 13-year-old from the city of Liverpool, was chosen as the winner of the My Life through a Lens photo competition. Although, Prince Harry did have help deciding on a winner. The duke's fellow judges included the world-renowned photographer David Yarrow, TV presenters Gaby Roslin and Ed Chamberlin, WellChild Art Auction Curator Chris Westbrook, the owner of Venture Photography Nick Fisher, and Creative Director of Venture Photography, Alicia Hall.
The winner of the competition was awarded a photoshoot experience for their family, a cinematic viewing of their winning photograph, and £1,000 ($1,375) toward a selection of beautifully presented framed photographs chosen by the winner from their photoshoot.
"The talent of the children and families who entered the Hopes and Dreams: My Life through a Lens competition is outstanding, and we thank them all for their contribution, a particular well done to our winners," the WellChild Chief Executive, Colin Dyer, said in a statement. "The importance of this year's auction cannot be underestimated. COVID-19 saw WellChild lose 60% of our forecasted income and yet the demand for help from families caring for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our society sky-rocketed. A huge thanks to all of the artists who have generously donated work for this year's collection," he added.
On June 30, 2021, the Duke of Sussex also met with the 2021 WellChild Award winner and runners-up during a COVID-safe party at London's Kew Gardens (via Twitter).