Prince Harry’s two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet weren’t far from his mind at last month’s WellChild Awards.

According to Sophie Vokes-Dudgeon, chief content officer at Hello!, the Duke of Sussex, 40, spoke about Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, at the event on Sept. 30 in London.

“From the moment he arrived in the reception room, he had an infectious energy about him, and there were no airs and graces at all as he chatted animatedly about his own children ahead of the event,” Vokes-Dudgeon wrote for the outlet.

The proud dad shared an anecdote about his kids’ hair — one that also included wife Meghan Markle. “Archie and Lili have been blessed with their mother’s thick hair, he told us, self-effacingly, as he marveled that it won’t be long until Lili can sit on hers,” Vokes-Dudgeon wrote.

Harry has spoken about his kids’ hair before, specifically its hue. During an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Harry said of his mother Princess Diana’s Spencer family, “The Spencer gene is very, very strong. I actually really, genuinely thought at the beginning of my relationship [with Meghan] that, should this go the distance and we have kids, that there’s no way the ginger gene will stand up to my wife’s genes — but I was wrong!”

In addition to Harry’s red hair, all three of Princess Diana’s siblings — Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Charles Spencer — all have red hair, as well.

As he traveled to the U.K. for the WellChild Awards and later went on to Africa, Vokes-Dudgeon wrote that “His wonderful wife Meghan was holding the fort, he said, her hands full with not only their two children but also their three dogs, which he joked were not quite house-trained. Not to mention the chickens!”

Vokes-Dudegon said that Prince Harry was “in his element” at the annual event. Harry has been patron of WellChild since 2007, and remains one of the few patronages he has kept since he and Meghan, 43, stepped back from their royal roles in 2020. The WellChild Awards celebrate the incredible courage and achievements of seriously ill children and also spotlight the dedication of those who care for them, from parents to nurses. At the Sept. 30 ceremony, Harry presented the award for the Most Inspirational Child (ages 4-6) and delivered a speech.

“These incredible young people, along with the dedicated caregivers, nurses and professionals who tirelessly support them, inspire us all,” Harry said in a statement. “It is a true privilege to recognize such extraordinary individuals.”

Harry has made attending the WellChild Awards a regular commitment, attending 12 ceremonies — and often spending meaningful time with the children and their families. Meghan memorably joined Harry for the awards ceremony in 2018 and 2019.

In his speech at this year’s event, Archie and Lilibet remained top of mind: “As a parent, I know a little about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting!” Prince Harry said. “But when I hear about the care many of you mums, dads and family members provide, the level of round-the-clock care you offer, the skills you’ve had to learn and the battles for support that you fight every single day, I am truly in awe.”

Vokes-Dudegon wrote that spending time with the children being honored at the WellChild Awards is “something that has become even more profound for him since he became a father himself.” (Archie was born in May 2019, and Lilibet followed in June 2021.)

In addition to the milestone of becoming a father, Prince Harry also reached another important milestone recently — turning 40 on Sept. 15.

The Duke of Sussex said that “He was enjoying being 40 and had been told by friends that it was the best decade, so he had high hopes for it,” according to Vokes-Dudgeon.

As he enters a new phase of life personally, his professional life is shifting, as well. Insiders previously told PEOPLE that, in their public lives, Harry is immersed in philanthropic efforts, while Meghan is leaning into entrepreneurial projects and commercial ventures.

“It’s clear that a twin-track approach is evolving,” a friend told PEOPLE.

A royal insider echoed this sentiment, adding, “The Duke and Duchess have now hit their stride as individuals — not just as a couple. The Duke appears focused on his patronage work, and the Duchess focused on her entrepreneurial track.”

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This doesn’t mean, though, that the couple aren’t still collaborating together professionally. Case in point: they recently launched The Parents Network, a new initiative to support families impacted by online harm, and insiders confirm joint efforts like this will continue even as their individual projects expand, as “there will be joint efforts around those cause-driven areas of work,” the friend added.

Ultimately, their dynamic reflects a balanced partnership, where individual passions complement their joint mission. “With their recent trips to Nigeria and Colombia, as well as their foundation-led events, it is still evident they show up together for the causes they jointly support,” the royal insider said. “What we are seeing is a functional and healthy relationship with two working partners, not the contrary.”