Volunteer meets Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace garden party

Niamh King, 28, lives in Prudhoe and volunteers in both Ponteland and Prudhoe libraries.

She was diagnosed with autism at age 15.

Niamh and Helen at Buckingham Palace gardens (Image: Supplied)

With her lifelong love of books and reading, and supported by Ponteland librarian Julie Ennis and community nurse Shelley Leveritt, Niamh has been able to overcome social challenges to help others enjoy the world of books.

Niamh attended the Buckingham Palace garden party on May 3 (Image: Supplied)

She was one of 5,000 nominations and was joined by 500 other Royal Voluntary Service coronation champions chosen by a national judging panel to be invited to the Palace. 

Niamh and her mother Helen attended the party on May 3.

A band performed at the garden party (Image: Supplied)

Helen said: "She got a beautiful letter saying her nomination was successful and then she got a beautiful invitation from Buckingham Palace from the Lord Chamberlain.

Niamh holds her certificate from Buckingham Palace, with Ponteland librarian Julie Ennis at the library (Image: Supplied)

"Niamh was rung by Queen Camilla's personal assistant to say that Camilla was interested in meeting Niamh when she came to the party," she said.

The palace gardens (Image: Supplied)

Helen said she was told there were approximately 8,000 guests at the party.

"The Beefeaters came out first and they lined the route down to the Royal Tea Tent keeping people to each side.

The garden party (Image: Supplied)

"Then a small number of people go in the centre for King Charles and Queen Camilla to meet, and Niamh was in the centre with me for Queen Camilla to meet.

"She was really so nice, she held Niamh's hand. Niamh's had a challenging time at school, but she could always read before she went to school.

Waiting on the steps of Buckingham Palace before meeting Queen Camilla (Image: Supplied)

"She's read avidly and extensively, but because she was diagnosed quite late she had very little specialist support," Helen said.

Niamh's certificate from King Charles III and Queen Camilla (Image: Supplied)

She explained Niamh can find it challenging to deal with social situations.

"Then her community nurse Shelley suggested we should consider her volunteering at Ponteland library. 

Niamh's coronation badge (Image: Supplied)

"The lady who runs the Ponteland library is Julie Ennis, she's transformed what Niamh can do in a public arena. She's learned all the skills in the library and now talks to people about books.

"Books enabled her normal lack of social confidence to be overcome. From a very young toddler, books were her thing.

"She probably wouldn't have ended up at the library if it wasn't for the community nurse, Shelley," Helen said.