Dr Tessy Ojo, the British-Nigerian chief executive of the Diana Award charity, received personal recognition from King Charles during Wednesday evening's State Banquet honouring Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle.
The 77-year-old monarch singled out Dr Ojo from among the assembled guests, praising her leadership of the organisation that bears his late former wife's name.
Dr Ojo, who has headed the Diana Award since 2012, told People that the King's acknowledgement came as a complete surprise, given the scale of the gathering in St George's Hall.
"That was deeply wonderful and unexpected given the number of people in that room," she said. "To be selected. It was beautiful."
King Charles tells Diana Award chief she is ‘doing a great job’ in surprise move
|INSTAGRAM: DR TESSY OJO / GETTY
The charity remains the sole organisation carrying Princess Diana's name and enjoys the support of both her sons.
Shortly before the formal dinner commenced, Dr Ojo found herself unexpectedly summoned to participate in the official reception with the King and President Tinubu.
During their exchange, the monarch enquired whether she remained in her role at the Diana Award.
"I said yes. And he said, 'You're doing a great job. Thank you,'" Dr Ojo recalled. "I thought, 'Oh my gosh, he knew that I was at the Diana Award.' It was really, really special."
Dr Tessy Ojo pictured inside Windsor Castle
|INSTAGRAM: DR TESSY OJO
The Nigerian president also expressed his appreciation to Dr Ojo, who was raised in Britain by Nigerian parents.
"He said, 'Thank you for doing us proud,'" she shared, adding that the encounter left her navigating dual feelings of national pride.
"I was caught between feeling incredibly proud to be British and seeing all the Britishness, but also thinking I am here because I am also Nigerian."
Following the formal seated dinner, which was attended by Prince William and the Princess of Wales, guests moved to a more relaxed reception where Dr Ojo encountered the future king.
Prince Harry and Dr Tessy Ojo pictured together in 2024
|GETTY
"He said, 'I did wonder if you were here!'" she recounted. "I was going to curtsy and do the formal thing, but he gave me a hug. That was very special."
The pair have previously collaborated on Diana Award initiatives, with both William and his brother Prince Harry supporting the charity's work.
Dr Ojo also exchanged brief greetings with Catherine, whose striking green Andrew Gn gown paid tribute to Nigeria's national colours.
"That was a lovely nod to Nigeria," Dr Ojo observed. "They got everything right."
Dr Tessy Ojo is the British-Nigerian chief executive of the Diana Award charity
|INSTAGRAM: DR TESSY OJO
During the banquet, Dr Ojo was placed beside Prince Edward, who has followed his late father, Prince Philip, as patron of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Their conversation centred on the difficulties confronting today's youth, she explained, including deficits in social and emotional skills and the importance of family structures in giving young people the best possible start.
The evening prompted Dr Ojo to reflect on her dual heritage and what it represented: "I have pride in my home and being British, and I also have pride in being Nigerian. Those two things can coexist without minimising either.
"That is something we constantly have to reinforce, especially in this society with those people who have multiple heritages. They are not competing."
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