Jams and cream... invite for Tony after missing Palace garden party
A DOUBLE amputee who missed his chance to go to the King’s Garden Party because of a road accident has been given a second chance to meet the royals.
Nine-year-old Tony Hudgell, who lost both legs because of horrific abuse by his birth parents, was forced to miss the event after a lorry fire stopped traffic between his home in West Malling, Kent, and Buckingham Palace.
‘Stuck on M20 for last two hours. Won’t be making the King’s Garden Party,’ wrote his adoptive mother Paula on X. Tony was about to go to bed when a surprise royal reply raised his spirits.
‘Sorry to hear this, Tony! We were looking forward to seeing you too. Fancy trying again another day? Leave it with us…’ the Royal Family account said.
His mum replied: ‘Thank you so much for this wonderful reply, @RoyalFamily.
‘We were all so disappointed and flat tonight. This tweet has certainly lifted our spirits and Tony is going to bed now much happier.’
She added: ‘It’s left with the palace now and I am sure we will hear back at some point. We can’t do this year but hopefully, we will in the next one.’
Tony was just 41 days old when both of his legs were amputated after an attack by his parents. His biological father Anthony Smith and mother Jody Simpson were both jailed for ten years in 2018. Since turning five, Tony has raised more than £1.8million for charity and inspired ‘Tony’s Law’, which allows tougher sentencing for people convicted of child cruelty.
He became the youngest person to ever feature in the New Year Honours in December, when he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child abuse.
Fire officials said one person suffered minor smoke inhalation at the M20 fire.