A YOUNG girl from North Fambridge was one of the few lucky members of the public to secure an invite to the wedding of the year.

Imogen Garrett, 12, of Brabant Road, along with mum Emma, were one of 1,200 people invited to the royal wedding on Saturday.

The Ormiston Rivers Academy student was invited to the ceremony held in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex.

On the day Imogen was able to be right outside the chapel.

Imogen received her invite after being a recipient of the Jack Petchey Foundation’s achievement award scheme.

Halstead Gazette:

Imogen under the archway where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle emerged as a married couple

The foundation’s programme, set up in 1999, recognises the outstanding achievements and work of young people in London and Essex aged between 11 and 25, with more than 2,000 schools, colleges and youth organisations taking part.

Imogen received the award for her achievements through Girl Guiding and Beavers, as she has been a part of the groups since she was five.

She is part of the First Maldon Guides, and volunteers weekly for the First Cold Norton Brownies, helping to run activities, trips away and looking after the younger girls.

Emma Garrett, Imogen’s mother, said she has always wanted to be involved with brownies and guides.

She said: “Imogen was with the brownies from when she was five, and has been a girl guide since she was ten. She absolutely loves it.

“Ever since she left the brownies she’s known she wanted to help them in the future, when she was old enough.

“She’s the type of girl that has always wanted to help and do her bit.

“She’s more than deserved this reward, we’re all big royalists in this family so it was a treat for her, and me.”

Halstead Gazette:

Imogen with her Jack Petchey Award 

Imogen had an early start on Saturday, travelling into London for before 9.30am to assemble near the castle before being shown where to go, before the wedding ceremony began at midday.

Mrs Garrett added: “It was a very early rise, we had to leave a lot of time as they had closed a lot of the roads.

“We were really looking forward to it, and it was a truly magical day we had. Imogen thoroughly enjoyed her day, with lots of celebrity and royal spotting and listening to an amazing wedding service, but best of all watching the newly married couple leave in a beautiful horse drawn carriage.”