Prince Harry Receives a Gift From WellChild Award Recipient to Use in Case He Ever 'Feels Down'

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Harry was encouraged to share crystal hearts from Scarlett Cripps with Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet if they need to "feel a lot happier"

Scarlett Cripps may have been an award recipient at the 2024 WellChild Awards — but she made sure WellChild's patron, Prince Harry, took something home too.

At the awards ceremony in London on Sept. 30, Scarlett, 10, wanted to give something to Harry to share with his wife, Meghan Markle, as well as their two children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, whenever they might need a boost.

"It was really exciting," Scarlett tells PEOPLE of meeting Harry, 40, at the event. "We were talking about his charities."

Scarlett, who attended the event with her mom, Aby, and her younger sister Sienna, 7, "gave Prince Harry some crystal hearts so if he feels down he can give a crystal heart to each of his family members to squeeze and make them feel a lot happier," Aby explains. "They're little baby crystal hearts. She said he does so much for other people as well. She's getting an award tonight for the stuff she does for others and wanted to give him something back, as well."

Scarlett gave Harry a blue heart, and included a purple one for Meghan, a green one for Archie and a yellow one for Lilibet, Aby told reporters at the event. Harry called Scarlett's gift "a lovely gesture," Aby said, and told reporters he would take the crystal hearts out and squeeze them when he's away from his family back home in California. He added that the gift from Scarlett infused with love would remind him of his "lovely wife."

Related: Prince Harry Returns to U.K. Solo to Champion One of His Most Cherished Causes After N.Y.C. Visit

The annual WellChild Awards in the U.K. celebrate the remarkable courage and achievements of seriously ill children. The event is always a  deeply emotional one, and Prince Harry spends meaningful time connecting with the courageous children, their families and the dedicated caregivers who support them. WellChild estimates over 100,000 children in the U.K. live with complex medical needs, and the annual awards aim to shine a spotlight on their incredible bravery, as well as the unwavering dedication of their caregivers.

Scarlett, who hails from Basingstoke, England, was honored with an inspirational child award at this year's WellChild Awards in the 7 to 11 age group. Since an early age, Scarlett has faced daily challenges due to medical conditions that affect her mobility, leave her extremely fatigued and often cause her severe pain. She has undergone two major brain surgeries and spent many months in the hospital, but, according to a release from WellChild, she "remains brave and cheerful" and "saves her own bravery stickers for other children in hospital, reads to them and, along with her sister Sienna, saves up her pocket money to buy new toys for hospital wards."

Scarlett also has her own charity campaign, "Scarlett Smiles," which supports children dealing with various challenges, the release said.

"She was telling Harry about the charity work she does and she's really inspired by Harry's charity work," her mother, Aby, tells PEOPLE.

While at the awards ceremony, Harry told one award winner that his award was being here with all of them.

Other winners this year include Noah, 6, who, despite facing numerous complex medical conditions, has started a wish list to provide presents for other children in the hospital. Noah brought some toys to the event and enjoyed throwing them on the floor. When his mother Tracey apologized to Prince Harry for Noah's antics, Harry told her that an apology wasn't necessary and that he loved it, and grinned as Noah grabbed his beard.

Other award winners include Jude, 14, who is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of organ donations; George, 16, who has developed a passion for powerchair football and adapting sports to make them more accessible to everyone; Anya, 12, who is adamant that everyone she encounters feels included; Jody, 16, who decided to learn basic life support to help her family; and Lewis, 11, who raised £80,000 for hospital charities and a national support group. Angie, a parent carer; Rhian, a nurse who has dedicated over 30 years to the profession; and Andrew, who raised over £30,000 for WellChild through a cycling tour around the U.K. earlier this year, will also be recognized at this year's WellChild Awards. 

Prince Harry has served as patron of WellChild since 2007 — and, after his step back from his royal role alongside Meghan, 43, in 2020, WellChild remains one of the few patronages Harry has kept in the years since. Involved with the organization for 17 years, on Sept. 30 Harry met with the award winners and their families at a pre-ceremony reception before delivering remarks at the main event. He also presented the award for the Most Inspirational Child, ages 4 to 6.

"With the awards, we try to shine a light on a group of really inspiring young people and carers who are often unseen and unrecognized," WellChild chief executive Matt James tells PEOPLE. "Having Prince Harry, the WellChild patron, with us not only allows us to provide them with a night they will never forget, but also provides a powerful platform to tell their stories and show the world what it's like when caring for a child with complex medical needs."

He adds, "It allows us to both create a magical experience for our winners, but also provides us with a platform to tell their important stories."

In a heartfelt statement, Harry expressed his deep gratitude for WellChild, saying he is "honored" to once again celebrate "the remarkable courage and achievements of children living with complex medical needs."

"These incredible young people, along with the dedicated caregivers, nurses and professionals who tirelessly support them, inspire us all. It is a true privilege to recognize such extraordinary individuals," he added. 

Harry has made the WellChild Awards a regular commitment, attending 12 ceremonies, and often spending meaningful time with the children and their families. The Duchess of Sussex memorably joined him at the awards in 2018 and 2019.

"When Prince Harry meets our families, it's a really special moment for them," James says. "Sometimes they can feel a bit nervous, as you can imagine, but one of his great qualities is his ability to immediately put our families and the children at ease. To see them smiling and laughing together with him is always a highlight of the evening."

Related: Prince Harry Won't See King Charles or Prince William During U.K. Visit

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The visit to London comes just days after Prince Harry visited New York City to spend time with several charities that, like WellChild, are close to his heart. He undertook engagements on behalf of The Diana Award, The HALO Trust, African Parks and Travalyst while in N.Y.C., and is expected to travel to Lesotho and South Africa in early October for his Sentebale charity, which he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006. 

While in the U.K., the Duke of Sussex has no plans to see his brother Prince William or his father, King Charles, PEOPLE understands. Harry's relationship with his father, Charles, who is currently in Scotland alongside Queen Camilla, remains strained amid Harry's ongoing battle for security.

Sources previously told PEOPLE that calls and letters to his father go unanswered. Harry's attempts to connect with his brother, Prince William — through texts, calls and messages — are also similarly ignored.

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