Duke of Sussex renews commitment to children injured in conflict at Imperial event

The Duke of Sussex was welcomed to Imperial’s White City Campus for a special event which celebrated the partnership between Imperial, Save the Children and Archewell Philanthropies.

Hosted at the I-HUB at Imperial’s White City Campus, the initiative convened humanitarians, innovators and philanthropists around a shared mission to improve the care of children with amputation injuries. The partnership aims to provide children with a holistic package of support – from the latest prosthetic technology to physical rehabilitation and long-term mental health provision. 

Speaking at the event, Prince Harry said: “Children should not be exposed to conflict. They should not be losing limbs to blast. But whilst children continue to suffer, I will keep working to ensure they can live life to the full. That’s what this enduring partnership between Archewell Philanthropies, Save the Children and Imperial College London is all about.” 

Imperial and Save the Children are co-founders of the Centre for Paediatric Blast Injury Studies at Imperial – the world's first centre dedicated to understanding and treating blast injuries in children, led by Professor Anthony Bull. 

Dr Angela Kedgley from the Centre for Injury Studies spoke at the event: "It’s difficult to stress enough the importance of taking a holistic approach to the care for the child with limb loss; through supporting their physical goals, addressing their mental health challenges, and understanding their lived experience and socioeconomic situation. 

"Our partnership with Save the Children and Archewell Philanthropies allows us to bring together our global expertise in severe paediatric trauma and prosthetic design for children and on-the-ground delivery experience to make a real difference to children in conflict zones around the world." 

After a panel discussion, the Duke participated in technology demonstrations with companies at the forefront of developing prosthetic solutions designed specifically for children – including a specialised knee joint that can grow with the child, developed at Imperial with funding from Save the Children.  

Three startups showcased their technologies at the event, including two with Imperial links – Koalaa, founded by Imperial graduate Nate Macabuag, and Imperial spinout GO Assistive Technology.  

Professor Peter Haynes, Provost and Deputy President, welcomed Prince Harry to Imperial and said: “We were delighted to welcome the Duke of Sussex back to our White City Campus and celebrate the strength of the partnership between Imperial, Save the Children and Archewell Philanthropies. By bringing together world-leading research, innovative technology and humanitarian expertise, we are working to improve the lives of children who have suffered devastating injuries as a result of conflict.”  

“At Imperial, we are committed to translating scientific discovery into real-world impact. Through our Centre for Injury Studies and collaborations with partners across sectors, we are helping to develop new approaches to rehabilitation and prosthetic care that give children the best possible chance to recover, thrive and fulfil their potential.” 

The event also launched new Save the Children analysis, which reveals some 12,000 children - or more than five every day - were killed or injured by landmines, unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices between 2020 and 2025 [1]. 

Claire Sanford, Conflict and Humanitarian Director at Save the Children UK, said: “Children are facing a new generation of explosive threats from the air, on the ground, and increasingly enabled by AI. No single organisation can tackle these challenges alone and we’re thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Imperial College London and Archewell Philanthropies, creating solutions centred around the needs of the child.   

“But we also need political action. Governments must ensure that the laws and protections designed to keep children safe evolve with changes to warfare. Children’s rights and safety must remain at the centre of decisions about how emerging technologies are developed and used.” 

[1] United Nations, Children and Armed Conflict: Report of the Secretary-General, 2021,2022,2023,2024,2025,2026. Calculation: UN data records 12,053 children killed or injured by explosive ordnance between 2020 and 2025. There are 2,191 days across this six-year period (including the leap year). Dividing 12,053 by 2,191 gives an average of 5.5 children killed or injured every day.   

Children and Landmines: The Lasting Impact of Landmines and Explosive Remnants of War on Children - Save the Children’s Resource Centre 

Photos: Charlie Forgham Bailey / Save the Children