A SCHOOLBOY was blown away when the Princess of Wales approached him for a chat ahead of a festive service in Westminster Abbey.

Anthony Knight, aged 17, who lives in Minehead and attends Taunton School, was invited to the Royal Carol Service in the abbey on Friday (December 8) in recognition of his charity fundraising efforts for the DEC Ukraine Appeal and UNICEF.

Afterwards he told the County Gazette it was an honour "like a dream".

"When we got to Westminster Abbey, I saw everyone had different coloured tickets," said Anthony.

"It was only when I got inside the abbey that I realised what a privilege it was to have been sent an orange admit ticket, as I was ushered to the front of the abbey, near to HRH The Princess of Wales and her family.

"HRH The Princess of Wales was greeting some of the young people at the front before the carol service, and I was blown away when she came up to me.

"She is so warm and kind-hearted. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, for which I am so grateful and honoured."

Anthony is playing his violin in various European cities during his sponsored UNICEF Grand Tour, performing in Riga today (Monday, December 11) and Vilnius on Thursday (December 14) during the Latvia and Lithuania leg of his initiative.

Anthony's mum, Solveiga, said: "HRH The Princess of Wales seemed delighted to meet Anthony and was genuinely interested in hearing about his charity work.

"She said that she was very grateful for what he was doing and encouraged him to keep up the good work."

Anthony is performing in 12 of the most exclusive hotels in Europe during his UNICEF Grand Tour, with guests encouraged to make donations to his appeal.

Over the summer he played in Berlin, Paris and Venice and ins February h will visit Vienna, Prague and Budapest.

He is hoping to raise a total of £20,000 and anyone wishing to sponsor him should visit gofundme and search for 'grand tour'.