WITH waving guards, a lap of honour around the capital and a meeting with a childhood hero, it was the turn of fashion fairy godmother Ally Elouise to the ball.
The 25-year-old founder of Penrhyn Bay charity Prom Ally headed to the Palace of Westminster to receive her British Citizen Award medal from television presenter Michael Underwood.
Miss Elouise received the award for Volunteering & Charitable Giving in recognition of her extraordinary work with fashion charity Prom Ally, which has provided more than 200 teens from low income families with elegant evening wear for their school prom.
Ally Elouise with parents Lee and Elaine after receiving the medal
Miss Elouise, who founded the charity using her 21st birthday money, said: "We had nearly an hour long open top bus tour lap of honour all around Westminster and over the Waterloo Bridge - which was fab.
"It felt amazing, the guards outside Downing Street were waving and everyone was cheering
"But the highlight was meeting Michael Underwood who I used to love on Jungle Run as a kid. He was so friendly and welcoming and thought Prom Ally was a great idea."
Ally Elouise was treated to a lap of honour in a double decker bus
Mr Underwood joins a growing list of admirers, which includes the Prime Minister Boris Johnson who selected Miss Elouise as the 1,299th recipient of the prestigious Points of Light award earlier this year.
Last summer Miss Elouise was also featured on BBC’s The One Show alongside fashion icon Jean Paul Gaultier. Mr Gaultier was so taken with the cause that he offered on air to donate a dress from his collection to the charity, which Miss Elouise received in late December.
Ally Elouise at the Palace of Westminster
She has also received letters commending her work from former Prime Minister Theresa May and from royals the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate as well as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan.
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