Unforgettable tea party at No 10: youth club members meet Prime Minister and first lady

But that was the honour enjoyed by members and leaders of a youth club in Rotherham after they were invited to celebrate the coronation at the home of the Prime Minister.

Group leader Connie Barrass received a surprise phone call the week before the big day inviting members and leaders of Blackburn Youth Club to No 10 Downing Street for a garden party as part of The Big Lunch.

And they were amazed not only to meet Rishi Sunak but also visiting US First Lady Jill Biden, whom Connie described as “quite nice”.

She added: “It was all a bit overwhelming so we went on a boat trip afterwards for everyone to chill out a bit.”

Connie said the group members had been excited about going to see Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, adding: “Some of these kids have never been off the estate, so this opportunity is fantastic.”

Youth club member Lewis Bree, who attends Willows School in Thurcroft, wrote his own account of the day:

“ON May 7, me and two other young people from Blackburn Youth Club, alongside three youth workers got a train from Meadowhall to London early in the morning.

“Firstly, we went on the Tube. It was worrying going underground for the first time ever, but I really liked it.

“After getting off at Green Park we headed to Buckingham Palace, where the King and Queen live.

“Walking up The Mall, it was incredible to see all the different countries flags in support of the coronation.

“It felt like there were thousands of people around us, which made us feel like we were a part of something really special.

“We walked through the gates to Trafalgar Square where we saw Nelson’s Column and the four lions which surround him — I wasn't expecting something so big.

“Then we proceeded to No10 Downing Street for the Coronation Big Lunch in celebration of community leaders and charitable work.

“We met other people who were leaders in their communities and Rishi Sunak, who had a photo with us all.

“It was cool to meet the prime minister;,his wife and their children. They were really nice plus they had a dog called Nova, who was very cute.

To our surprise, the First Lady of the United States of America turned up as we were pouring our first cup of tea. She came over and spoke to all of us too.

“Then Rishi Sunak cut our cake and shared it with us — I can’t believe I can say I have had cake with the prime minister.

“I wanted to invite him to our club so after we all ate our cake I decided to go over and speak to him with my youth worker.

“We spoke about the volunteering I do in juniors, then I invited him to the club because I think everyone at the club would like to meet him and he said next time he’s in the area, he will come.

“When we came out of No 10 we went to Westminster and Big Ben. It was very busy.

“We needed sometime to chill so we went on a boat ride to The Tower of London, because there is no better way to see London.

“Before we knew it, our day was over and it was time to get the train back up north.”