The monarchs of Britain on Wednesday hosted their first grand garden party of 2024, welcoming more than 8,000 attendees. Among the distinguished guests were Princess Anne, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward, and his wife, Duchess Sophie.
Joined by Queen Camilla, King Charles oversaw the festivities at the gathering, which nearly coincided with Prince Harry’s Thanksgiving Ceremony for the Invictus Games held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The gathering served as a poignant display of unity following the King’s resumption of royal duties after his cancer diagnosis in February.
Prince Harry wasn’t the sole absentee, as he attended St. Paul’s Cathedral alongside relatives of his late mother, Diana. Additionally, a nine-year-old boy opted out of the royal event at Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Family reacted after Tony Hudgell, a double amputee who tragically lost both legs due to cruelty by his birth parents, and his adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, were unable to attend the party due to traffic delays on their journey to London.
Taking to X, Paula Hudgell said, “Stuck on the M20 for the last 2 hours won’t be making the King’s Garden Party.”
The tweet included a picture of Tony wearing a blue t-shirt and black sunglasses.
Surprisingly, the Royal Family’s official X account reacted to the tweet, writing “Sorry to hear this, Tony! We were looking forward to seeing you too.”
“Fancy trying this again another day? Leave it with us…”
Expressing gratitude for the response, the mother replied, “Thank you so much for this wonderful reply, we were all so disappointed and flat tonight. This tweet has certainly lifted our spirits and Tony is going to bed now much happier.”
Sorry to hear this, Tony! We were looking forward to seeing you too.
Fancy trying again another day? Leave it with us… @paula_hudgell https://t.co/qAS4iq7bYS
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 8, 2024
Meanwhile, reacting to the post, one royal family fan wrote, “who is this cute child?”
“What a nice gesture by His Majesty!” another wrote.
“What a fabulous reply, just the little things that make someone’s day!” one more joined the conversation.
Tony, originally from Maidstone, Kent, wears prosthetics due to severe injuries to his lower legs sustained as a toddler. He has been honored with the Pride of Britain and UK Points of Light awards.
This garden party wouldn’t mark Tony’s first encounter with members of the royal family, as he has been spotted with Princess Kate Middleton on multiple occasions.
Previously, the Prince and Princess of Wales praised Tony as a hero for his remarkable fundraising walks benefiting disadvantaged youngsters.
Inspired by Sir Tom Moore, Tony embarked on a 10-kilometer walk over 30 days, raising approximately £2 million for charity. Subsequently, he had a meaningful conversation with Kate and William at the Together At Christmas carol event at Westminster Abbey in 2023.
During Catherine’s annual Christmas service, Kate and William’s children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—penned heartfelt letters to Tony.