The Duchess of Edinburgh has celebrated the 80th anniversary of the charity Mencap alongside Strictly star Ellie Goldstein and Traitors finalist Alexander Dragonetti.
Sophie gathered to mark the milestone as she cut a cake with charity members, ambassadors and the organisation’s myth busters including Goldstein and TV presenter George Webster.
The duchess was also presented with a chocolate lollipop of her own face by Dragonetti, and was pictured deep in conversation with the former British diplomat-turned household name after receiving the unique gift.
The sweet treat was part of the celebrations, with the charity setting up a chocolate lollipop station which was able to scan guests’ faces including Sophie’s and turn them into a lollipop at the gathering in London on Wednesday.
Dragonetti, who is now a Mencap ambassador, inspired thousands to make donations after sharing that he wanted to give his potential Traitors winnings to the charity, because of the impact it had on his late younger brother James, who had global development delay and autism.
The duchess, who is patron of Mencap, also met guest of honour Geoffrey Leer, who turned 80 on September 1, and presented him with a special birthday card.
After retiring, Mr Leer spent more than three decades campaigning to improve the lives of other people with learning disabilities through Bexley Mencap and the Respect Group.
Sophie told him: “What makes Mencap special is meeting lovely people like you. Things have changed a lot during your lifetime for people with a learning disability, which is good.
“They have a voice and opinions and that’s being listened to. The next challenge is to have more opportunities for people in workplaces.
“People with a learning disability are life enhancers. A lot more people are taking interest in giving people with a learning disability opportunities, but there’s a long way to travel.”
Mr Leer, who has a learning disability, dementia, and sight and hearing loss, still attends the Respect Group and remains passionate about making life better for others.
“Now I’m 80, I think to myself what an achievement. My mother and father would be over the moon. I wish I could do it all again. That’s how enjoyable it was,” he said.
Model and actress Goldstein, who last year became the first Strictly contestant with Down’s syndrome to compete in the main series, performed at St James’s Palace with her dance partner Vito Coppola earlier this year at an afternoon tea hosted by the duchess.
Webster, who performed in the Strictly Christmas special in 2022, made history in 2021 as the first person with Down’s syndrome to be a regular CBeebies presenter.
