Camilla hosts child heroes Lyla O’Donovan and Tony Hudgell

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.

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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.’ 

Her father, Paul O’Donovan, added: ‘Last week was an amazing moment for us as a family. Lyla’s health hasn’t been good over the past few weeks, and she’s been having so many more seizures and up to eight a week in school, so we always cherish everything we do. 

‘For us to come and have an experience like this was incredible and Lyla loved every second of our trip.

‘Lyla was gutted about missing the original garden party but she said she’s glad she missed it now as she’s got to meet The Queen and there’s no one else more important than her, apart from The King of course.’

Mrs Hudgell, Tony’s mother, also said: ‘We were all extremely honoured to have been invited to Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea with The Queen – an experience we would never have dreamed of. Everyone was so kind and thoughtful and made us feel comfortable and relaxed. 

‘Tony chatted to The Queen as if they were old friends and she was lovely with him and an exceptionally very proud moment when the Queen gave Tony his BEM.

‘We would like to thank everyone who made this one of the most memorable days we will ever have.’