HOW ironic: Michael spends the majority of their lives hiding them from the media spotlight and 7 months after his death, Prince and Paris are on stage at the Grammy’s for all the world to see.

Nonetheless, Michael’s two eldest children, Prince (aka Michael Joseph Jackson Jr) and Paris (Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson) accepted his posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy on his behalf. They did it with such grace and humility and we’re sure they would have made their Dad very proud.

They walked onto the podium after a tribute performance by Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson, singing Michael’s “Earth Song” to remember his cause.

The Jackson children stood onstage with Lionel Richie and their cousins – of boyband 3T fame – as they addressed the audience.

“First of all, we’d like to thank God for watching over us over these past seven months, and our grandma and grandpa for their love and support. We would also like to thank the fans. Our father loved you so much because you were always there for him,” began 12-year-old Prince.

“Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity. Through all this hard work and dedication, he has helped many charities and donated to all of them. Through all his songs, his message was simple: love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world. Thank you. We love you, daddy.”

11-year-old Paris took the stage to quickly add: “Daddy was supposed to be here. Daddy was going to perform this year, but he couldn’t perform last year. Thank you. We love you, daddy.”

7-year-old Blanket (Prince Michael Jackson II) remained backstage and was never slated to accompany his siblings.

Watch the tribute and the children’s speech:

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