UK
Blind girl with brain tumour sings Christmas song for Queen Camilla during Windsor tea
A blind schoolgirl with a brain tumour gave a rendition of a classic Christmas song to Queen Camilla during an invitation to Windsor Castle for tea.
Olivia Taylor, 7, was a bundle of excitement saying, “hello Your Majesty” as the Queen walked into the castle’s White Drawing Room for a private tea with her family.
The Queen poured Olivia her very first cup of tea which she “loved” to which the royal replied: “Oh you love tea, there you are you’ll be able to have tea from now on.”
Olivia, who has been blind since her diagnosis at 17 months was invited to the royal residence after the Queen heard she had performed with the Bexley Music Primary Choir at Buckingham Palace as part of the pre-recorded King’s Christmas message.
The girl proceeded to sing Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer to a round of applause.
Olivia was accompanied by her four-year-old sister Imogen and their parents Lisa and Matt as they dined on scones, Santa cakes and personalised biscuits.
Olivia sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for Queen Camilla
Olivia Taylor came with her sister Imogen (second left), father Matt (left), and mother Lisa (right) at Windsor Castle
She also brought her teddy Corrie with her – a trusty companion during her hospital appointments and MRI scans – who was bestowed with her own seat at the table.
Mrs Taylor told Camilla how Olivia has been on chemotherapy most of her life after she was diagnosed with a grade one brain tumour but is on a break at the moment and it was “really lovely that this all happened while she is so well”, to which the Queen replied “she’s so happy – and chatty”.
Olivia felt the decor as she was guided around the room, famous for the Paddington Bear scene filmed with the late Queen as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations.
She then told the Queen she had made her a purple ring, which Camilla called “beautiful” before putting it on.
Olivia and her sister received goodie bags including a corgi teddy, shortbread, socks and a Christmas tree decoration.
The Queen told Olivia she thought Corrie “was going to be a bit jealous” as she hugged the corgi teddy and giggled.
Olivia Taylor loved her corgi Christmas present
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As the Queen said goodbye to the girls , she said: “[Olivia’s] been such a brave little girl, I’m so glad to have met her.”
After taking a photo with Queen Camilla, both sisters curtseyed, which they had been practising.
Olivia spent time in the Crimson Drawing Room to feel a Christmas tree, chain mail armour and then to touch coronation items including replicas of the Queen’s crown – which she tried on – and replicas of the orb and sceptre.
Olivia has the pleasure of trying on the Queen’s crown
After the meeting, Olivia said she “loved meeting the Queen” and the afternoon was “really, really good”.
Mrs Taylor described meeting the Queen as “absolutely amazing” saying she was “really warm” and “good with children”.
She said: “It’s just indescribable really, we’re on a break from chemo and trying to live in the present and make happy memories.
“Disabilities don’t define people, yes that’s part of her but it’s more about her kind personality than anything else. We’re living in the present, we just have to make adjustments, it’s all sensory, the smells, tastes and touches.”
The mother added that Olivia may be back on chemotherapy in the new year.