Prince Harry tonight attended a classic jazz concert in support of WellChild, a charity endorsed by the Prince.
Harry spent the night in the company of jazz stars, including Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, who performed at the Royal Albert Hall.
The night of classic jazz was to support WellChild, a charity dedicated to the needs of sick children and their families. The charity’s children’s nurses provide specialist care and support for families and chronically ill youngsters at home; Prince Harry is patron of the organisation, and often plays polo in support of them with his brother, The Duke of Cambridge. He has been patron since 2007.
A proportion of the profits from the performance tonight are to be given to WellChild, and guests at the performance included Elton John and his husband, David Furnish.
Harry met with the performers before they took to the stage, and gave Lady Gaga a hug, unusual for Royal protocol, which states no touching is allowed! Tony Bennett, and his newest duet partner, Lady Gaga were amongst the performers.
88-year-old Bennett was praised by the fifth-in-line who said: ‘I can’t believe you have the energy, I don’t know how you do it.’
Lady Gaga replied: ‘He runs circles around me.’
Mr Bennett then spoke of Prince Harry’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales: ‘Your mum was a good friend of mine. I did many benefits with her.’
Harry pointed out that it was a shame more of children helped by WellChild couldn’t be at the concert because of the late start time, and Lady Gaga offered to meet them another day.
A short reception was also held by the charity for its supporters, which Harry also attended. The 30-year-old Prince then invited nurses and families that have benefited from the organisation’s work into the Royal box to watch the night’s entertainment.
Flynne Ewart-Biggs, 15, has been having treatment for a brain tumour; she was lucky enough to spend the evening next to Harry with her WellChild nurse.
Flynne said: ‘Harry was a nice guy and it was fairly easy to talk to him. He asked me if I like Lady Gaga.’
She then praised the charity and how it makes her life easier: ‘WellChild make it a whole lot easier to have the treatment, they’ll do my bloods and check-ups. I just pop round and Diane (WellChild nurse) is like a friend.’
Colin Dyer, WellChild’s chief executive, said: ‘WellChild is thrilled that Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett are supporting WellChild through this concert. The proceeds will be a massive boost to our work to support seriously ill children and their families across the UK.’
Feature photo: Land Rover Mena
