Hampton schoolboy Ashley Bryant, who flew out on Tuesday to compete in the European Junior Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia, almost caused a security scare at a top London hotel, where the Duke of Edinburgh was the guest of honour.

Bryant, who hopes to go to Brunel University in the autumn, was asked along with a number of Sports Aid-sponsored athletes to be present at the Grosvenor House Hotel, where a dinner was being held to mark Prince Philip stepping down after 58 years as president of the CCPR.

Bryant was interviewed on stage holding a javelin by BBC sports presenter Chris Hollins.

He spoke about his training, his hopes for the future and how the charity, which provides him with a small bursary, helps athletes.

By coincidence, Bryant and his father, Ken, left the Park Lane hotel at the same time as the Duke and found themselves in a narrow hotel corridor which, for security purposes, should have been cleared of people.

Ken explained: “As HRH came around the corner towards us, his protection officer was very surprised, especially to see Ash holding his pointed javelin!

“Fortunately, we were recognised as part of the evening’s entertainment.”