Queen Presents Medal to Seriously Ill Boy Who Asked About Dragons

Queen presents medal to seriously ill boy who asked if she had dragon in her castle

A seriously ill seven-year-old took his shot and asked Queen Camilla to present him with a medal while at a Royal tea party - and she accepted.

Rupert Williams, who has gastrointestinal failure and haemophilia A, was among six children who attended the event which included a treasure hunt hosted by the Queen at Clarence House.

The youngster from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, had previously been awarded a medal for his commitment to the Scouts "despite severe illness", which Rupert brought with him just in case the Queen might pin it on him.

His mother Hannah Williams said he had asked her beforehand if the Queen "had a dragon in her castle".

Gastrointestinal failure means Rupert's digestive system does not function as it should, while haemophilia A is a condition which affects how his blood clots.

He beamed with pride as the Queen pinned his medal to his waistcoat as the children sat down for tea, and even raised a toast to her – with a glass of water.

The event, which included the tea party and a ride in a horse-drawn carriage down The Mall, was part of an event for Dreams And Wishes – a Welsh charity dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families build memories.

Hannah said he was "overwhelmed" and excited about the event.

"He has been asking 'does the Queen have a dragon in her castle?' As a family we have said this year is just about saying 'yes to life'.

"We just need to enjoy these incredible opportunities," she said.

Hannah said that as the parent of a child with an illness "your main priority is just trying to get them through it and giving them some sort of childhood".

Rupert has spent a large part of his life in hospital and was awarded the Chief Scout's Commendation for Meritorious Conduct medal.

According to the Scouts UK website, Rupert makes a point of trying to keep laughing because he says it helps him feel better, and enjoys visits from therapy dogs, especially when he can help look after them.

During the Clarence House event, the children were told they were being sent on a prince and princess-themed quest to find treasure that had been stolen by a wicked wizard who was stopped by two guards at night.

Maria Lourenco Belo, 6, of Port Talbot, also held hands with the Queen as she led her to the next clues in the hunt.

The Queen Consort soon got stuck in to her hosting duties as the children sat down for a tea of carefully laid-out goodies including small square sandwiches, biscuits with the children's names on, jelly, and colourful cupcakes and brownies.

She handed out plates, made sure that everyone was eating, chatted to the adults.

The event ended with each child getting a goodie bag that included a teddy bear dressed as a guard and a large chocolate coin.

Disney-themed music was played by a string quartet throughout the event which ended with the Queen giving each child a hug and kiss.

Dreams And Wishes chairman Tony Curtis said: "The Queen wrote to me when I started the charity in 2011. She writes to me every year after I wish her a Happy Christmas.

"She is fantastic, especially how she spends so much time chatting to the children and the parents."

He said the charity gave her a clock as a gift "as she has given so much of her time to us".