Tony Hudgell’s dream came true this afternoon as he finally managed to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
The ten-year-old boy, who lost both legs to horrific abuse by his birth parents, was forced to miss last year’s party because he got stuck in traffic on his way to London.
Luckily, this year Tony managed to make it on time – and attend the gathering as planned.
The double amputee from Kent looked delighted as he shook hands with Prince William, after being warmly welcomed by Queen Camilla at a private gathering.
William even joked that he had chosen a better year because it was raining when he was due to attend previously.
Tony, who was attending with his proud mother Paula, appeared deep in conversation with the Prince of Wales, with whom he has developed a close friendship.
He is also known to be close with the Princess of Wales, and has even called her his ‘best friend’ in the past.
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.
Tony Hudgell’s dream came true this afternoon as he finally managed to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace
Tony, accompanied by his mother Paula, was greeted by Prince William at the party
He 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.
When Tony’s family shared his disappointment about missing last year’s garden party 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…’
They kept true to their word, and Queen Camilla hosted a special party just for Tony, and Lyla O’Donovan, who had also missed the party.
Arriving at Buckingham Palace, 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.
The ten-year-old boy (pictured), who lost both legs to horrific abuse by his birth parents, was forced to miss last year’s party because he got stuck in traffic on his way to London
The Prince of Wales meets Tony Hudgell during a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London
A ROYAL INVITATION: Tony (pictured) displays the invitation he received to attend the previous garden party at Buckingham Palace last year – before being forced to miss it
The Princess of Wales oozed glamour as she arrived at a garden party at Buckingham Palace this afternoon alongside Prince William
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.
Mrs Hudgell, Tony’s mother, said at the time: ‘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.’
Tony’s biological parents, Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson were each jailed for ten years in 2018 for the torture they inflicted on their 41-day-old son in 2014, leaving him with injuries including broken fingers and toes and torn ligaments.
Despite suffering such unspeakable abuse in the earliest days of his life, little Tony has grown up to be a kind and determined boy who has raised around £2 million for charity by walking great distances on his crutches.
Tony has previously been hailed a hero by Prince William and wife Kate over his extraordinary fundraising walks to help vulnerable children.
He set out to raise £500 for the hospital that saved his life by walking 10km in 30 days in 2020 after being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised more than £33million walking in his backyard.
Luckily, Queen Camilla decided to create a very special party just for them. Pictured with Lyla O’Donovan
Tony was unable to make it to the Buckingham Palace garden party in May last year after getting stuck in traffic on the M20. But Palace officials promised to conjure up another date
What is Tony’s Law?
Tony’s Law is an amendment to Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that was voted by ministers on November 30 2021.
It is named after Tony Hudgell, who was abused by his parents as an infant and suffered life-changing injuries.
His parents, Tony Smith and Jody Simpson, were both jailed for ten years, which was the maximum sentence at the time.
The amendment will increase the maximum penalty for causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child from ten to 14 years, while causing the death of a child will rise from 14 years to life.
The tougher planned sentences could mean that anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their care will face up to life imprisonment, rather than the current 14-year maximum.
In 2021, a foundation set up in his name to enhance the lives of children who have been affected by physical, emotional, or psychological abuse provided more than 700 Christmas presents for youngsters in need, and it continued the tradition last Christmas too.
The nine-year-old’s phenomenal fundraising achievements come despite an incredibly tough start to life which led to him undergoing 23 operations and eight blood transfusions.
The horrific abuse he was subject to by his birth parents caused serious injuries – and the infant also developed sepsis because Smith and Simpson waited 10 days before taking him to hospital.
His fortunes turned around after his life was saved by specialists at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, of which the Princess of Wales is an official patron.
Then, in 2016, he finally found a loving home with Paula and Mark, who have campaigned tirelessly in Tony’s interests since welcoming him into the family – including a bid for Tony’s Law, which introduced tougher sentences for child cruelty.
They have also encouraged his fundraising efforts to help other children – which have seen him rub shoulders with very famous figures.
After completing his big walk, Tony met the Prince and Princess of Wales who ‘spent ages’ chatting with the youngster when the couple attended Together At Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in 2023.
He has also met Prince Harry along with a string of celebrities and earlier this year he was singled out for his inspiration by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Despite the attention, Paula has said of Tony: ‘He takes all of it in his stride, so to speak. He is just amazing.
‘He’s very much a people person. He can encapture a room of people and will talk to them all.’
Tony met the Princess of Wales in December 2023 during her visit to officially open the Evelina London Children’s Day Surgery Unit at London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital
Tony Hudgell had completed a 10km walk and raised £1.3million by the age of five
Elsewhere at today’s garden party, the Prince and Princess of Wales met the parents of Liz Hatton, the teenage photographer who captured the hearts of the nation with her brave cancer fight.
Kate, 43, rewore her lemon yellow dress by Emilia Wickstead and a hat by Phillip Treacy as she stood on the terrace for the National Anthem in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, while the Prince of Wales wore a smart top hat and grey three-piece suit.
It marks her first appearance at a garden party since 2023 – having skipped last year while she was having cancer treatment.
Liz’s parents Vicky and Aaron, along with her brother Mateo, nine, had an emotional chat with the royals at the garden party to honour the memory of their daughter.
When Kate spotted Liz’s mother they embraced with a warm hug. Her parents said meeting Prince and Princess changed her and their family’s life positively forever.
The Prince and Princess, who were joined by Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie, and Sophie and Edward, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, had met Liz just months before her passing, when they were introduced at Windsor Castle during an emotional moment that left a lasting impact on the royal couple.
Liz, 17, from Harrogate, won the admiration of the public with her determination to live life to the fullest despite being diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour.