We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Princess Anne, 70, is one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family and carries out hundreds of engagements every year. This week the Princess Royal honoured her connection to disability charity Sense by taking part in a moving video call with a disabled teenager.

During the virtual engagement, Anne spoke to 16-year-old East Londoner Saihan Islam who has autism.

Saihan told the Princess Royal about the struggles that young disabled people have faced during the pandemic, in particular social isolation.

Saihan campaigns for mental health and disability awareness and told Princess Anne how social isolation is disproportionately high among young disabled people.

According to Sense, one in two (53 percent) young adults report feeling lonely every day, rising to 73 percent for young disabled people.

Following his candid talk with Princess Anne, Saihan spoke out to thank her for her support.

Saihan said: “This is a very challenging time. Sense has a huge, positive impact on me and other disabled people.

“I really appreciate this opportunity to share my experiences with HRH The Princess Royal.

“It will show how much her support means to people like me.”

He added: “It will help others to stand up for their rights and make themselves heard.”

“I hope all the work we have done together, and to be done in the future, will help change society’s views and bring about change. Disability should be taken more seriously.”

Saihan also highlighted the importance of community services, such as the ‘Buddying’ programme run by Sense, which matches young disabled people with volunteers to meet in their local area and enjoy activities.

Demand for the service rocketed when the pandemic began and the service had to move online.

DON’T MISS

Queen forced to ‘accept’ Christmas without ‘genuine family style’ [INSIGHT]
Kate Middleton ring beats Meghan Markle’s to new ‘most popular’ title [PICTURES]
Prince Harry praises Netflix-style environmental streaming service [VIDEO]

The Princess Royal has been Patron of Sense for 30 years and wrote a letter to the charity earlier in the year, thanking frontline staff for their work with children and adults with complex disabilities during the pandemic.

Where will Princess Anne spend Christmas?

Princess Anne is usually among Royal Family members to descend on Sandringham for Christmas with the Queen and Prince Philip but this year is likely to be different.

The Princess Royal lives in Gloucestershire on the Gatcombe Park Estate a short distance from her two children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips.

Zara and Peter both have two daughters apiece and under the relaxation of guidelines due to happen from December 23 to 27 the three households could spend Christmas together.

Anne may be looking forward to spending the holiday with her children and grandchildren after the pandemic has kept them apart in recent months.

Zara’s children Mia and Lena may be glad to see their cousins Savannah and Isla after time apart during lockdown.

Source: Read Full Article