Brave little Sadie Simons does not like going to London because it usually means she will be in hospital, sometimes for weeks. But two days ago, something magical happened as Sadie, nine, and her family came to town not to see a doctor but to have lunch with Her Majesty the Queen. They were among the families supported by Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity invited to help decorate the Royal Christmas Tree at Clarence House.
Sadie was trembling with excitement as she curtseyed before Camilla and handed her a bouquet of flowers. The Queen thanked her for them before taking her by the hand to leading her and other children at the event to decorate the tree. Sadie, who lives in Puckeridge, Herts, said: "I was so excited.
The Queen was very nice. I gave her flowers and she liked them. "She helped me choose the first decoration to put on the tree and she brought sausage and mash for me to eat and poured on the gravy.
"It was such good fun. Santa was there but he was very naughty. He kept stealing the sweets, we saw him do it!" Sadie is waiting to be readmitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital for another in a series of operations as she battles an irreversible intestinal condition.
Her mother Lucy, 37, and her Roald Dahl Nurse Grace Mardle, 33, who helps care for her and her family were with her at the lunch. Lucy said: "It was absolutely amazing. The Queen was so lovely with the children, she even served them their lunch which was wonderful.
She just took them by the hand a.