London:
Prince William has made a former homeless woman's dreams come true by inviting her to his wedding to Kate Middleton on April 29.
Shozna, a British woman, had a stroke while training in childcare and needed a heart operation. Shortly afterwards, she left home, staying with relatives and friends until her council referred her to homeless charity Centrepoint.
The charity, of which William is a patron, helped her find a home and turn her life around.
She was giving a speech at a charity gala when she came face to face with the prince himself.
Shozna told The Mirror: "Prince William came up to me before and calmed my nerves. He said good luck and cracked a few jokes. After the speech he called me over. He told me my speech was amazing and he'd been touched by it. Then he gave me a hug. It made me feel comforted. He was really, really genuine, so normal. He was like an uncle or a brother or something."
The woman didn't expect to hear from William again but was thrilled when an invitation to the April 29 ceremony came through her letter box.
"I feel so, so lucky. I got the invitation in February and just thought, 'Oh my God, this can't be real!' I wanted to go to the royal wedding anyway and cheer them on in the streets.
When I got the invite I couldn't believe it...it had the royal stamp on it and I was scared to open it. I don't know what I've done to deserve it," she said.
Shonza added that the most exciting thing will be seeing all the celebrities and Prince William and Kate will make a nice couple.
Shozna, a British woman, had a stroke while training in childcare and needed a heart operation. Shortly afterwards, she left home, staying with relatives and friends until her council referred her to homeless charity Centrepoint.
The charity, of which William is a patron, helped her find a home and turn her life around.
She was giving a speech at a charity gala when she came face to face with the prince himself.
Shozna told The Mirror: "Prince William came up to me before and calmed my nerves. He said good luck and cracked a few jokes. After the speech he called me over. He told me my speech was amazing and he'd been touched by it. Then he gave me a hug. It made me feel comforted. He was really, really genuine, so normal. He was like an uncle or a brother or something."
The woman didn't expect to hear from William again but was thrilled when an invitation to the April 29 ceremony came through her letter box.
"I feel so, so lucky. I got the invitation in February and just thought, 'Oh my God, this can't be real!' I wanted to go to the royal wedding anyway and cheer them on in the streets.
When I got the invite I couldn't believe it...it had the royal stamp on it and I was scared to open it. I don't know what I've done to deserve it," she said.
Shonza added that the most exciting thing will be seeing all the celebrities and Prince William and Kate will make a nice couple.
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