An 11-year-old girl who became the youngest person ever to be made an MBE said she was left ‘speechless’ when she found out she was being honoured.
Carmela Chillery-Watson was 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 in 2017, aged three, and in recent years has helped the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK raise more than £400,000 by doing around 25 fundraising and awareness campaigns.
Speaking after the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, Carmela beamed as she revealed she was left ‘speechless’ after opening the letter informing her of the news.
‘I never would have thought that I would have got an MBE, I just wanted to do what I did to change communities,’ she added.
‘But this is absolutely incredible.
‘I just never would have thought this would have happened in a million years.’
The Government believes Carmela is the youngest-ever MBE, although it does not hold all the historical data to be able to confirm it.
Carmela said the Prince of Wales was ‘very nice’ and said she discussed her charity work and how much money she had raised with him.
Also receiving an honour at Windsor Castle on Wednesday was paralympic swimmer and volleyball player Monica Vaughan, 73, who has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to sport.
Vaughan said receiving an OBE is the ‘cherry on the top’ of her previous accolades, adding: ‘It is quite amazing.’
This week has seen scores of people being awarded by the royal family this year for their contributions to the nation.
On Tuesday, Claudia Winkleman looked over the moon to have been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles at Windsor Castle.
The Strictly Come Dancing host, 53, was honoured for her services to broadcasting, weeks after her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly received her own MBE.
Claudia, who was wearing a stylish white suit and headband, was pictured shaking hands with the Monarch as he bestowed the honour during an investiture ceremony.
The TV star was supported by her husband Kris Thykier and her parents Eve Pollard and Barry Winkleman, who were seen watching on from the sidelines.
And the frontman of The Who, Sir Roger Daltrey, was today awarded a knighthood by Prince William.
The rocker, 81, responsible for hits including My Generation and Baba O’Riley, was recognised with a knight bachelor in The King’s Birthday Honours list in June for services to charity and music.
Roger launched and curated the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Royal Albert Hall concerts from 2000 to 2025.
The concerts have raised more than £32 million for charity and have led to the setting up of 28 specialised units within the NHS.
Sir Roger previously told the Press Association that he felt ‘deeply honoured’ to have been made a knight bachelor in the King’s Birthday Honours.
He said: ‘It’s a wonderful honour for me, and especially for Teenage Cancer Trust.
‘I accept this award not only for myself but on behalf of all the unsung heroes who have given their energy towards making the Teenage Cancer Trust the success it has become.’
