Carmela Chillery-Watson, aged 11 years and 78 days, was confirmed by Guinness World Records as the youngest person ever to receive a Member of the Order of the British Empire honour after her inclusion in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours, recognised for charitable fundraising supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK and the disabled community.
Girl, 11, becomes youngest person to receive MBE after raising over £400,000 for muscular dystrophy charity
Carmela Chillery-Watson, aged 11 years and 78 days, was confirmed by Guinness World Records as the youngest person ever to receive a Member of the Order of the British Empire honour after her inclusion in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours, recognised for charitable fundraising supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK and the disabled community.
Carmela was diagnosed with LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy (L-CMD) at the age of four. The rare condition affects muscles and can cause progressive weakness.
Her fundraising activities began at age six, when she took part in a month-long Wonder Woman challenge in 2020, covering 10 kilometres every day — walking one kilometre and using her wheelchair for the remainder. According to Muscular Dystrophy UK, she went on to raise more than £400,000 through around 25 fundraising and awareness campaigns.
Guinness World Records had reported her fundraising total at more than £36,000 at the time of the honour announcement; Muscular Dystrophy UK later stated the overall figure grew to more than £400,000.
She surpassed the previous record held by Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, who received an MBE at 14 years and 50 days in 2008.
On December 10, 2025, Prince William, the Prince of Wales, presented Carmela with her MBE at Windsor Castle. In October 2025, she completed a 24-hour hospital walk through five hospitals where she had received care, recording approximately 6,500 steps and raising £3,250, according to Guinness World Records.
Muscular Dystrophy UK named her its first Young Ambassador. She has also announced plans to visit primary schools across the UK to speak to children about disability, rare conditions, and accessibility.
- The source does not state the total number of MBE recipients in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours.
- The source does not reconcile the £36,000 figure reported by Guinness World Records with the £400,000 figure reported by Muscular Dystrophy UK, beyond noting the latter represents a later, cumulative total.
- The source does not include any direct quotes from Carmela Chillery-Watson or her family.
- The source does not state whether Muscular Dystrophy UK's £400,000 figure has been independently verified.
- The source does not provide detail on how the Guinness World Records age calculation was conducted or verified.
Read the original at The Times of India