Prince William has awarded an MBE to an 11-year-old girl who is believed to be the youngest ever recipient of the honour.
Carmela Chillery-Watson has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to charitable fundraising.
Carmela has a rare muscle-wasting condition, which affects just one in a million children across the world.
She was diagnosed with the condition at the age of three and has helped raise more than £400,000 for the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK by doing around 25 fundraising and awareness campaigns.
Prince William honoured Carmela Chillery-Watson with an MBE | PA
Speaking after the ceremony at Windsor Castle, Carmela said she was left “speechless” after opening the letter informing her of the news.
The 11-year-old said: “I never would have thought that I would have got an MBE, I just wanted to do what I did to change communities.
“But this is absolutely incredible.
“I just never would have thought this would have happened in a million years.”
Carmela Chillery-Watson said receiving an MBE is ‘absolutely incredible’
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The Government believes Carmela is the youngest-ever MBE, but it does not hold all the historical data to confirm it.
The 11-year-old said the Prince of Wales was “very nice” and said she talked about her charity work and the money she raised.
Carmela was one of a number of individuals receiving MBEs, including Adjoa Andoh, who was celebrated for her portrayal of Lady Danbury in Netflix’s period drama Bridgerton.
The 62-year-old actress, writer and director received the honour in recognition of her services to drama over a four-decade career.
Carmela Chillery-Watson is believed to be the youngest-ever recipient
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Ms Andoh, whose father had Ghanaian heritage, became a household name through her roles in both Bridgerton and its spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
The ceremony is a major event, considering the actress’s prior comments about the Royal Family.
Ms Andoh caused significant controversy in May 2023 when she provided live commentary for ITV during the coronation of King Charles III, alongside Myleene Klass, Tom Bradby, and Julie Etchingham.
Observing the Royal Family’s appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony, she remarked: “We have gone from the rich diversity of the Abbey to a terribly white balcony. I am very struck by that.”
Carmela Chillery-Watson said Prince William was ‘very nice’
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The comments prompted considerable online backlash.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 afterwards, the actress tried to explain her remarks: “I think I upset a few people yesterday,” she said, describing the Coronation as “marvellous” and adding: “I didn’t mean to upset anybody.”
Despite the previous backlash, any lingering tension appeared absent during the ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Other notable recipients at the investiture included The Who frontman Sir Roger Daltrey, who received a knighthood, and darts champion Luke Humphries, also awarded an MBE.
