The Royal Story The Royal Story
An 81-year-old grandmother said she was left “speechless” after receiving a special invitation from Princess Kate.
Ann Davies, who has spent the past decade supporting vulnerable people in Stockton-on-Tees, found herself attending a star-studded event alongside royals and celebrities at Westminster Abbey earlier this month.
Mrs Davies was invited to the Princess of Wales’s annual Christmas carol service on December 5 — an honour that took her completely by surprise.
“I couldn’t believe it, I was speechless,” she said, recalling the moment she learned she would be attending the prestigious occasion.
The volunteer was chosen alongside other local heroes from across the country to be among the 1,600 guests invited to the festive service at the historic abbey.
For the past decade, Mrs Davies has dedicated herself to The Moses Project, a Stockton-on-Tees–based charity that provides guidance, mentoring, and support to hundreds of adult men battling drug and alcohol addiction. A former school catering manager, she now prepares meals for around 50 men at the project, forming bonds that extend far beyond simply serving food.
“In some cases, we’re the only family these men have,” she told the BBC. “It’s a trust we’ve built, and it’s really special. I’m known as Granny.”
Beyond her work in the kitchen, the grandmother of three also volunteers as an appropriate adult at Middlesbrough police station, supporting vulnerable people in the period following their arrest.
The experience inside Westminster Abbey was unforgettable for Mrs Davies, who found herself seated in an exceptional spot for the service.
“We were on the front row, so Catherine was walking up and down speaking to children near the front, and she stopped just a couple of seats away from me,” she recalled.
The abbey was beautifully adorned with Christmas trees, creating a festive setting as guests enjoyed traditional carols, musical performances, and poetry readings delivered by actors including Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Prince William took part in the service by delivering a Bible reading, as Mrs Davies watched the Prince and Princess of Wales arrive alongside their three children.
Stella Jones, operations manager at The Moses Project, explained why Mrs Davies was selected when the charity was allocated two tickets for the event.
“Someone who is 81 and still giving back to society with such compassion and care is truly admirable — we think the world of her,” the 70-year-old said, adding that Mrs Davies has “a real heart for the people she cooks for.”
Before becoming involved with The Moses Project, Mrs Davies supported a group for vulnerable women in her community, and over the years she has experienced both moments of joy and heartbreak.
“We’ve shared plenty of laughs and shed a few tears as people became trapped in that lifestyle,” she reflected.
Despite her age, retirement is not on the horizon for the devoted volunteer, who added: “There’s no way I’m stopping — not while I’m still on my feet.”
