Not every nine-year-old can casually say they've been invited to hang out with the royal family.
Tony Hudgell, a nine-year-old boy who had both legs amputated once hailed as a hero by William and Katewas 'hugely excited' to go to the King's Garden Party yesterday.
The party is one for some chance to chat casually with the monarch and other royal family members in Charles's backyard – Buckingham Palace.
Tony was invited to the party after becoming the youngest person to ever take part in the New Year Honors in December
X account, jointly run by Tony and his adoptive mother Paula, they wrote: 'Stuck on M20 for the past two hours. I'm not going to the King's Garden Party.'
A roadside lorry fire foiled their attempt to drive from their home in West Malling, Kent, to London.
The experience left the family “disappointed,” Paula said.
The official Royal family account on
'Sorry to hear this, Tony! We were looking forward to seeing you too,” the post said.
'Would you like to try again another day? Leave it with us…'
In a follow-up post, the Pride of Britain winner's mother replied: 'Thank you so much for this wonderful response, @RoyalFamily.
'We were all so disappointed and flat tonight. This tweet has certainly lifted our spirits and Tony now goes to bed much happier.”
Paula added: 'It's at the palace now and I'm sure we'll hear something at some point.
“We can't do it this year, but hopefully next year.”
This year's garden party was the first held during Charles' reign and attracted around 8,000 people.
The guest list ranged from the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to Lionel Richie.
Paula said she and her son left their home about four hours before they had to get to the palace – the journey should have taken just 90 minutes with a push'
'There was a lorry fire on the M20. We got caught up [with the incident] where the highway was closed. We were stranded there for three and a half hours.
'Initially we were still hoping that the road would still open, but we knew that probably wouldn't be the case because it was such a massive fire. Our thoughts were with the truck driver and fortunately he was okay.”
One person received first aid for smoke inhalation, the fire department said.
Paula added: 'You just have to get on with it. It was a nice day. We were standing on the highway chatting with other people.
“Tony was singing and chatting to people.”
Tony was only 41 days old when both of his legs were amputated.
After attacked by his biological parentsTony was left in agony for ten days before doctors saved his life in 2018. Both father Anthony Smith and mother Jody Simpson received ten years in prison because of the torture.
Tony has since helped raise millions for charities and inspired 'Tony's Law', which increased prison sentences for those convicted of child abuse and neglect.
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