Tony Hudgell, 9, was abused so badly by his parents he had to have his legs amputated sadly missed the garden party today (May 8).

A nine-year-old boy, sweetly nicknamed Princess Kate’s “best friend” has been left devastated after missing the Buckingham Palace garden party as he got stuck in traffic for hours.

Tony Hudgell, from Maidstone in Kent, had to have his legs amputated after being subjected to horrific abuse by his parents, and has previously met Kate, and sent her well wishes in her cancer recovery.

Taking to X, the official page for Paula Hudgell tweeted: “Stuck on M20 for the last two hours [crying-face emoji] won’t be making the King’s Garden party [tear-face emoji].”

Paula’s tweet was posted alongside a photo of Tony, who was wearing a blue t-shirt and some dark sunglasses, in a car.

Followers expressed their shared devastation that Tony would be absent from the monarch’s first annual Garden party, with one fan commenting: “Oh nooooo [cry-face emojis] I’m so sorry that you won’t be making it today. I’m sure @RoyalFamily and @KensingtonRoyal will ensure you are invited again at a later date. Sending you hugs [blue-heart emoji].”

Another, @judithiin777, wrote: “Awww that’s such a shame [sad-face emoji] Perhaps @RoyalFamily can organise another visit. What a disappointment for you all.”

Expressing their sadness at Tony missing the event, another commentator wrote: “Oh nooooo!!! Hope Tony will be invited again. @RoyalFamily”

Paula, who adopted Tony in 2016, previously shared his delight at receiving the invite.

Taking to X, alongside an excited Tony holding the special invite, Paula tweeted: “Tony is over the moon and excited to have been invited by The King to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace this Wednesday – let’s hope the [yellow-sun emoji] is shining [blue-heart emoji]”

The sweet invitation came after Tony raised £1.8 million for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, which is where he received treatment following the life-changing injuries inflicted by his birth parents.

Inspired by the late Captain Tom Moore’s fundraising walk in 2020, a then-five-year-old Tony walked 10km on his prosthetic legs to raise the cash.

In addition to his fundraiser, the now-nine-year-old also inspired an English law change, known as ‘Tony’s Law’, enacted in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

‘Tony’s Law’ calls for increased prison sentences for those convicted of child cruelty and neglect.

Tony outside Buckingham Palace in February 2022

Tony pictured outside Buckingham Palace in February 2022 (Image: GETTY)

Upon receiving a huge amount of responses from Paula Hudgell’s tweet today, the Royal Family responded with a message that is likely to brighten Tony’s day after being unable to make the Garden party earlier today.

The Royal Family’s account quoted Paula’s tweet, commenting: “Sorry to hear this, Tony! We were looking forward to seeing you too.

“Fancy trying again another day? Leave it with us… @paula_hudgell.”