Weeke boy meets Prince William

John James Entwistle was one of around 90 children who attended a special party at the venue.

It was held on Saturday, June 30, the day before the 'Concert for Diana' at the recently-opened stadium.

Some of the acts due to perform were rehearsing, so the youngsters had a sneak preview of singers including Nelly Furtado and Joss Stone.

The party was organised by several children's charities, including WellChild, which offers help to youngsters with serious illnesses and their families.

WellChild invited 11-year-old John James and his mother, Jane, to travel to London from their home in Weeke.

The youngster suffers from Alström Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes blindness and can lead to organ failure. The rare condition is thought to affect fewer than 500 people in Europe.

On arriving at Wembley, the Entwistles were shown into the Royal enclosure where there was food, drink, and entertainers.

Princes William and Harry hosted the event, and each child was given the chance to meet one of them. John James was introduced to Prince William and the two exchanged a 'high five'.

The youngster then read a letter, which he composed in Braille, to thank his royal host for the invitation.

He also joked with the Prince that he should learn Braille so that he could read such notes himself.

Mrs Entwistle said they had had a fantastic day. "I think it was fabulous for John James, because he's probably met the future king."

Sally Stanley from Hampshire won two tickets for the concert, offered by the Childhood Bereavement Network after completing an online survey about bereavement in childhood.

Sally, and her friend Victoria who accompanied her, are founder members of Simon Says, a charity supporting bereaved children in Hampshire, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year.

She said: "My two sons - like Princes William and Harry - are also bereft of a parent, having lost their father to cancer seven years ago this summer."