Boy so overwhelmed he crawls away from meeting with Queen
Nine-year-old Nathan Grant was introduced to the Queen as part of her visit to Coram, the UK’s oldest children’s charity.
A meeting with the Queen was so overwhelming for one little boy that he dropped to the floor and crawled out of the nearest door, shouting “Bye” to amused onlookers.
Nine-year-old Nathan Grant was introduced to the Queen as part of her visit to Coram, the UK’s oldest children’s charity.
Based at the site of The Foundling Hospital in London, Coram has been helping vulnerable children since it gained the Royal Charter in 1739.
The Queen visited the charity to open The Queen Elizabeth II Centre – a national centre for children named in her honour. The centre has been launched as a celebration of the 350th anniversary of the birth of the founder, Thomas Coram.
The Queen was greeted on arrival by Edward Newton, 102, the oldest surviving pupil from The Foundling Hospital.
Mr Newton mentioned to the Queen that he remembered King George’s visit to the hospital in 1926, saying “I was a little tot”.
A pupil at the school between the ages of six and 14, Mr Newton left to join the army.
Wilson, who was one of the first Coram fellows, said: “I just think it’s a wonderful organisation and it’s very much to do with helping children now in new ways.
“I thought it was a lovely occasion. There was a sort of mixture of formality and informality which worked really well – and the Queen was smiling!”
During the tour the Queen met eight-year-old Lewis, who asked her which was her favourite of the countries she had visited.
She replied that it was a difficult question, saying there are “so many I couldn’t pick one”.
The day was particularly special for Lewis as it marked one year since he moved in with his adoptive family.
The Queen came to the aid of eight-year-old Shylah Gordon-Clarke as she struggled to add her own decoration to the tree.
Shylah’s mother Evie Clarke is part of Coram’s Young Parenthood Programme.
One decoration was a copy of Thomas Coram’s coat and the other a red ribbon, representing the charity’s museum.
Mr and Mrs Grant, who have supported the charity for a number of years, presented the event.
Mrs Grant said: “This is an issue that is very close to our heart. We have four children, three birth, one adopted, and they all have special needs.
“It’s important for young people to know they are represented throughout society and to know that they are not alone.”
