A Croydon girl’s dreams have come true after meeting Prince Harry at a charity garden party last week.

Rhea Talwar lives with extreme cerebral palsy, but last Wednesday afternoon (July 7) her ‘bucket list’ experience was ticked off when she met the Duke of Sussex at an awards ceremony in Kew Gardens.

The 18-year-old from Central Croydon won a special recognition award for setting up her own business making greetings cards during lockdown last year - despite spending most of her time shielding.

She attended the WellChild awards for seriously ill children and young people to collect her award at a private garden party and afternoon tea in West London.

Your Local Guardian: Rhea and family with the WellChild award.Rhea and family with the WellChild award.

Surrounded by celebrities including Ed Sheeran, Ronnie Wood, Amanda Holden, AJ Pritchard and Abbie Quinnen, it was Prince Harry who Rhea was most excited to see.

“It was surreal to meet Prince Harry,” said Rhea’s mum Purabi.

“He was on her bucket list for years. He was so charming, caring and compassionate, but also incredibly down to earth. You forgot you were talking to a prince. He spent so much time talking to Rhea it was one of the best days of her life.”

Rhea presented the stars with her homemade cards decorated with colourful footprints, fingerprints and footprints.

“Created under the business name 'Perfectly Imperfect Prints' the brand is about emphasising her abilities not disabilities,” her mum, Purabi said.

Despite facing setbacks in life – Rhea has severe brain damage and needs two carers 24/7 – she has kept her spirits high.

Your Local Guardian: Singer Amanda Holden with Rhea's custom made cards.Singer Amanda Holden with Rhea's custom made cards.

“Regardless of a health point of view, anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it. We wanted everyone to see there is a happy story out there that a little girl like Rhea refuses to be defined by disabilities,” added.

WellChild supports seriously ill children and young people in the UK to ensure they have the best chance to thrive.

It is a cause that has long been important to Prince Harry, who retained his private patronage of the organisation despite his move to the US.

In a statement released by WellChild, Harry said: “Since becoming patron of WellChild in 2007, this organisation and the people within it have held an extraordinarily special place in my heart.

“I wasn’t a father at the time, and yet the stories of these children and parents transcended that.

“I didn’t need to be a dad to feel the impact of this invaluable work.

“Now as a father of two, I feel all the more connected, inspired and in awe of the resilience of these families, who power through indescribable challenges with the support of WellChild.”