Maria Wilson BEM joined some 7,000 guests at Buckingham Palace for the Royal Garden Party on Tuesday 20 May 2025. Invited alongside her husband, Carl, Maria was honoured in recognition of her British Empire Medal for services to cancer charity work.
Over the past fifteen years, Maria has dedicated herself to raising awareness of the vital importance of early cancer detection and to securing much-needed funds for the AACC in Alicante. Her founding role in the Pink Ladies has provided comfort, information, and community to hundreds of people across the Orihuela Costa.
On a glorious spring afternoon, guests strolled through the palace’s South Lawn, enjoying tea, sandwiches, and strawberries & cream under marquees festooned with bunting.
Prince William and the Princess of Wales were in attendance, alongside the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. Maria did not meet members of the Royal Family directly, but she had the thrill of seeing them close up as they moved among the guests.
“It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Maria reflected. “To be there with so many remarkable individuals, all recognised for their service, it was incredibly inspiring.”
By day’s end, Maria had not only represented her charity with grace and warmth, but had also furthered its profile on a national stage—demonstrating that tireless local commitment can indeed be celebrated at the highest levels.
Congratulations to Maria Wilson BEM on a memorable celebration at the heart of British public life.
Maria would like to thank all current and past Pink Lady volunteers for their support over the years noting that her BEM is in recognition of their tireless work as a group.
