Remarkable Northampton girl, 6, honoured by Prince Harry after defying overwhelming odds
A remarkable six-year-old Northampton girl who survived a catastrophic brain bleed and stroke has received a prestigious national award – and was personally congratulated by Prince Harry.
Margot Jones-Billington was named winner of the Inspirational Child – Aged 4-6 category at the 2026 WellChild Awards after being chosen from hundreds of nominations across the UK.
Margot, who was nominated by her mum Laura, received her award at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Monday, September 21, where she met WellChild patron Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.
Born in September 2019, Margot was just 20 months old when she suffered a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM), causing a massive brain bleed and stroke.
She suffered cardiac and respiratory arrests but survived and began what has become a lifelong journey of recovery.
Margot now lives with complex medical needs as a result of her acquired brain injury and uses a wheelchair and splints. She requires constant support and is cared for by around 35 specialists, alongside regular hospital appointments and intensive therapy.
She has spent thousands of hours relearning how to move, communicate and interact with the world around her.
Despite everything she has faced, her family says Margot is fiercely independent, with her favourite phrase being: “Mummy, I do it myself.”
Laura said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Margot to be recognised by WellChild. This Award is such a wonderful celebration of how far she’s come, and we hope it gives her an extra boost of confidence and shows her just how truly remarkable and brave she is.”
Prince Harry met award winners and their families before the ceremony and later delivered a speech.
He said: “The WellChild Awards are always a very special evening because they give us the opportunity to celebrate an extraordinary group of children and young people living with complex medical needs, as well as the families who support them every single day.”
The awards, now in their 21st year, celebrate seriously ill children and young people, their families and those who care for them.
Celebrity guests included Dame Kelly Holmes, Gok Wan, McFly drummer Harry Judd and Peter Andre.