Two students from the Fens have been invited to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle this month.
Charlie Calvert from Murrow and Billy Griffiths from March have both been invited to the Windsor Castle celebrations on Saturday May 19.
This won’t be the youngsters’ first encounter with royalty for in 2016 both boys met Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, after receiving awards for their “fantastic community work” at The Diana Awards in London.
Lord-Lieutenant Julie Spence had the hard decision of nominating six people that have won respect for their work in the community to attend the event with a guest of their choice.
The select group will be part of 2,500 people from across the UK specially invited to watch the arrival of Harry and Meghan along with their wedding guests.
Charlie, 15, is the youngest police cadet leader in Cambridgeshire and in 2017 he was awarded the Junior Cambridgeshire Young Person of the Year.
Shortly after winning his award he said: “I love working with the police, it gives me a sense of pride and that I am helping the community.
“I enjoy all of the extra experiences I can get and gives me huge amounts of confidence.
“I have learnt to work with new people and can work alone independently. I have really enjoyed giving my time to my local community.”
Also invited is 16-year-old Billy Griffiths, a Neale-Wade Academy student described by his headteacher as “an all-round good egg who has overcome early difficulties in his life”.
Billy has already completed all of his school’s leadership awards and has recently received a bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award as well as being a “driver for change” for his youth district council.
Mrs Spence said: “Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle have said that they want their wedding to be a celebration of fun and joy, and to involve as many people from across the UK as possible.
“I was asked, along with other Lord-Lieutenants from across the UK, to nominate inspirational local people to attend this special day, and particularly wanted to highlight young people or those who seek to help and inspire the next generation.
“I am delighted with my nominees – each of whom richly deserves this honour - and I hope that they along with Prince Harry and Ms Markle - have a fantastic day to remember.”
The final four to receive an invite are:
• 12-year-old Jorja Furze, who undeterred by being born with only one leg works with the charity Steel Bones as an Ambassador.
• Jamie Turner, 16 from Peterborough is a young man who has persevered with his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, despite issues related to his autism.
• Charlotte Field, from Ramsey is a highly regarded and outstanding young leader in the Ramsey area.
• Neil Perry, the Chief Executive of Romsey Mill Trust, a Christian based charity with a long history of working in Cambridgeshire to support disadvantaged families, and particularly young people.
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