He was disappointed when heavy traffic caused him to miss a garden party at Buckingham Palace, but last week, young fundraiser Tony Hudgell was treated to a private tea party with the Queen as a consolation.
Tony, nine, and 11-year-old Lyla Donovan, who also missed the official party due to illness, were welcomed into the Summer House in the palace gardens. There, they and their families joined Her Majesty for sandwiches, scones, and King’s Guard-designed iced biscuits.
The Queen also presented Tony with his British Empire Medal following his nomination in the New Year’s Honours for his services to the prevention of child abuse, having raised nearly £2 million for the Evelina Children’s Hospital, which has the Princess of Wales as its patron.
Tony, the youngest ever recipient of a New Year Honour, was treated at the hospital after suffering severe abuse as a baby, which led to the amputation of both his legs.
In May, when Tony’s adoptive mum Paula shared his disappointment about missing the garden party on his X (formerly Twitter), she received a reply from The Royal Family account saying: “Sorry to hear this, Tony! We were looking forward to seeing you too. Fancy trying again another day? Leave it with us…”
Tony and Lyla, who has a rare brain tumour and has raised funds for seriously ill children, had earlier watched the Changing of the Guard from inside the palace forecourt and were later taken on a tour of the Royal Mews.
Lyla said: “Everyone made us feel so comfortable and made me feel superspecial so thank you for this. We are so grateful and feel so lucky to have been invited.”
Paula said: “Tony chatted to The Queen as if they were old friends and she waslovely with him and an exceptionally very proud moment when the Queengave Tony his BEM. We would like to thank everyone who made this one of the most memorable days we will ever have.”
