Playful Ruby, seven, tugs on Harry’s tie

The Duke of Sussex was left dangling by the end of his tie when he met an inquisitive youngster during an awards ceremony recognising children with severe illnesses.

Harry's tie was playfully pulled by Ruby Joslin-Smith when he and the Duchess of Sussex came over to say hello during the WellChild awards ceremony staged at a central London hotel.

The event honoured youngsters with severe illnesses and conditions who strive to live a full life despite the health problems they face.

At the end of the event, Harry and Meghan met the children's choir from Riverside School, for pupils with special needs, based in St Mary Cray, Orpington, which won an award.

The duke's dangling tie was tugged by the seven-year-old, who is wheelchair-bound with a genetic disorder.

Harry even crouched down and flopped the end of it in her face as he played up to her antics.

He has been patron of WellChild – the national charity for seriously ill children and their families – since 2007 and regularly attends the annual awards ceremony.

Jacqui Burrows, who works as an expressive arts specialist at Riverside School, said: "Ruby was very excited to see Harry and Meghan.

"She was attracted by the dangling tie, she does have some vision impairment but could see the tie and just wanted to play."