Prince William had a heartwarming interaction with a young boy during a garden party at Buckingham Palace this week.
He attended the event on May 20 with his wife, Kate, the Princess of Wales. Other royals present included his cousins, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall.
One touching moment that stood out involved William, 42, meeting 10-year-old Tony Hudgell — a scene that moved many royal fans.
Tony Hudgell attends palace garden party
After missing out last year due to a traffic jam, Tony finally got the chance to attend a royal garden party.
As a baby, Tony suffered severe abuse at the hands of his birth parents, which led to the amputation of both his legs. His abusers were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018.
Tony was later adopted by Paula and Mark Hudgell, and since then, he’s become an advocate for vulnerable children.
In December, he made history by becoming the youngest person ever to receive a New Year Honour. He was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work in raising awareness and fighting against child abuse.
Tony also co-founded the Tony Hudgell Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children who’ve experienced physical, emotional, or psychological trauma.
The foundation raises funds and hosts events in support of The Evelina Children’s Hospital — the very hospital that saved Tony’s life.
Prince William meets Tony Hudgell at palace garden party
After missing out last year, Tony finally got the chance to attend a palace garden party on Tuesday, May 20.
A heartwarming clip shared on X captured the moment Prince William met Tony.
The Prince of Wales spent a few minutes talking with him — then, in a sweet gesture, he removed his top hat and gently placed it on Tony’s head.
It was an emotional moment that moved many to tears.
Royal fans were thrilled to see Tony finally experience the garden party and deeply touched by his interaction with the future king.
One fan exclaimed, “I’m not crying, you are!”
Another admitted, “You’re right. I am crying.”
And someone else echoed the sentiment: “I’m definitely crying. Beautiful moment.”
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How do you get invited to a palace garden party?
As stated on the official royal family website, a well-established network of sponsors is used nationwide to invite guests.
These sponsors include Lord-Lieutenants, various societies and associations, government bodies, local authorities, the armed forces, the Church, and other faith groups.
They are responsible for nominating individuals to receive invitations.
What happens at a royal garden party?
At royal garden parties, members of the royal family typically arrive around 4pm. They walk through the crowd using designated “lanes”, each following a separate path. According to the royal website, this setup allows for random introductions, giving all attendees an equal opportunity to meet a royal.
Afterward, the royals head to the Royal Tea Tent, where they are introduced to additional guests.
Attendees can enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and are free to wander around the palace gardens.
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