11-year old-Carmela met the Prince of Wales and made history as the youngest MBE

Can you imagine meeting one of the most important people in your country – and then hearing them thank you for your achievements?!

It would be so cool, wouldn’t it?

Well, Carmela Chillery-Watson from Dorset, UK, got to experience this for herself.

Aged 11 years 78 days old, Carmela became the youngest Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

The British royal family award MBEs to people who have done incredible and inspiring things.

When someone receives this honour, they are invited to a palace or castle in the UK and given a medal by one of the royals.

How exciting!

Carmela got to meet Prince William at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, UK, on 10 December 2025.

The 11-year-old was given this honour in recognition of her “charitable fundraising”.

She surpassed the previous mark of 14 years 50 days, set by Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds who was made an MBE in 2008.

At the age of 4, Carmela was diagnosed with a rare condition called LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy.

This means her muscles are getting progressively weaker over time.

However, she hasn’t let this stop her from being active and achieving greatness!

In recent years, Carmela has raised over £36,000 for charity by completing various fundraising projects.

In 2020, she covered 10 km (6.2 mi) every day for a month dressed as the comic-book superhero Wonder Woman.

She would walk 1 km (0.62 mi) and then use her wheelchair for the remaining distance.

Carmela is a real-life superhero!

More recently, Carmela raised £3,250 with her 24-hour hospital walk.

She recorded around 6,500 steps by walking through the corridors of 5 different hospitals she has received care in.

For this challenge, Carmela used her walking aid and was assisted by her dog, Tinker, and her mum, Lucy.

Congratulations, Carmela, you are Officially Amazing!