A woman from South Oxhey was “humbled” when she was chosen to be a coronation champion and got to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Jo Wiggins, 48, received the recognition for her nine years of volunteering with Anna Kennedy Online – an autism awareness charity.

The mother-of-two celebrated the occasion at Buckingham Palace’s Coronation Garden Party on May 9.

Watford Observer: Jo Wiggins (left) and her partner Ziggy King (right) at Buckingham Palace. Jo Wiggins (left) and her partner Ziggy King (right) at Buckingham Palace. (Image: Jo Wiggins)

She said: “William and Catherine were so lovely. I’m a big royalist and meeting them gave me goose bumps.

“They spent time chatting to everyone and were really interested in what everyone had to say. They were so down to earth.”

Only a few days earlier, Jo got to meet King Charles III outside Buckingham Palace when she went to take some food to her friends who were camping on The Mall.

She said: “It was great of him to talk to everyone.

“The family has a great way about them and do not have a stiff upper lip.”

Jo, who also works part time at Lucketts of Watford coaches, was nominated to be a coronation champion by her 22-year-old daughter.

Watford Observer: The coronation badge. The coronation badge. (Image: Jo Wiggins)

The initiative was launched to recognise exceptional volunteers nationwide and Jo was one of 500 to be chosen.  

“It was most humbling,” she said. “I felt proud. It’s not just about myself, I am part of a small team of volunteers, and it’s extended to them.”

She said meeting the other volunteers was another highlight of the day as well as the bandstand playing music and the tent serving tea and sandwiches.  

They were all given a coronation badge and a certificate signed by the King and Queen who did not attend the party.  

Watford Observer: The certificate signed by the King and Queen. The certificate signed by the King and Queen. (Image: Jo Wiggins)

Almost 5,000 entries were received, with nominations made for individuals aged 14 up to 103.

Jo began volunteering for the charity because one of her daughters has Asperger's.

The charity runs events across the country, ranging from training to concerts, that Jo is heavily involved in.

She also works closely with Watford FC so that people with autism get to experience the stadium without the noise of crowds.