Queen Camilla hosts special Buckingham Palace garden party for young fundraising heroes Lyla

Queen Camilla hosts special Buckingham Palace garden party for young fundraising heroes Lyla O'Donovan and Tony Hudgell - after the plucky pair were forced to miss the official one

When child champions Tony Hudgell and Lyla O'Donovan missed their chance to attend a Buckingham Palace garden party earlier this summer due to a combination of bad traffic and ill-health, they were devastated.

So Queen Camilla decided to create a very special party just for them.

Her Majesty surprised the youngsters with a day out at her London residence culminating in tea-for-two in the gardens Summer House, complete with a private performance from their very own military band.
Brave Tony, who co-founded the Tony Hudgell Foundation, was the youngest-ever recipient of a New Year Honour in December when he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the prevention of child abuse.

The nine-year-old from West Malling, Kent, had both legs amputated as a baby due to horrific injuries inflicted by his abusive birth parents, who were jailed for ten years in 2018.
He was adopted by Paula and Mark Hudgell and has since raised almost £2million for the Evelina Children's Hospital through a series of gruelling physical challenges, despite undergoing continuing medical treatment.

Lyla, 11, has also raised funds for seriously ill children while living with a rare brain tumour herself and was awarded the 'Inspirational Service Child of the Year'. Her father, Corporal Paul O'Donovan, serves with The 6 Rifles, of which the Queen is Colonel-in-Chief.

Both had been hugely looking forward to visiting Buckingham Palace in May for one of its famous garden parties.

When Tony's family shared his disappointment about missing it on his X (formerly Twitter) account - @paula_hudgell - after getting stuck in traffic, The Royal Family replied the same day, saying: 'Sorry to hear this, Tony! We were looking forward to seeing you too. Fancy trying again another day? Leave it with us…'

Little did he think, though, it would be such a special event.

Arriving at Buckingham Palace last week, both children and their families watched the Changing of the Guard from inside the forecourt, before being received by Her Majesty for a private tea party in the gardens 18th Century Summer House.

The Rifles Band played a selection of music from musicals including The Lion King, Frozen and Mary Poppins, as well as pop songs by the likes of Taylor Swift.
Sandwiches, scones and King's Guard-designed iced biscuits were rustled up by the palace kitchens.

Her Majesty also presented Tony with his BEM following his nomination in the 2024 New Year Honours. It is a British and Commonwealth award for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown.

Following Her Majesty's departure, both children were also taken to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace for a private tour - and even got a special carriage ride from the garden to get there.

Lyla said: 'Everyone made us feel so comfortable and made me feel super special so thank you for this.

'A massive thank you to everyone involved yesterday we are so grateful and feel so lucky to have been invited.'

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