Boy, 8, bumps into Prince William and Kate at station after finishing cancer treatment

Rebecca Taylor
·Royal Correspondent
·4-min read
BATH, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 08: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Bath Spa train station and take time to meet and chat with Otto Warner, 8, left, who has today come out of cancer treatment and was by chance hoping to meet the royal couple with his family, including sisters Jasmine Warner, 5, centre, Poppy, 10, right, and mum Georgie, ahead of a visit of the Duke and Duchess to a care home in the city to pay tribute to the efforts of care home staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic on December 08, 2020 in Bath, England. The Duke and Duchess are undertaking a short tour of the UK ahead of the Christmas holidays to pay tribute to the inspiring work of individuals, organizations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by Ben Birchall - Pool / Getty Images)
William and Kate met Otto Warner, 8, centre, who had come out of cancer treatment and met the royal couple with his family, including sisters Jasmine Warner, 5, centre, Poppy, 10, right, and mum Georgie. (Ben Birchall/Getty Images)

An eight-year-old boy has marked the end of his cancer treatment with a chance encounter with the future king and queen.

Otto Warner finished his cancer treatment on Tuesday 8 December and bumped into Prince William and his wife Kate at Bath Spa station while on his way home from the hospital.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had arrived on the royal train and were on their way to meet residents at a care home, but stopped to speak to Otto and his family from a social distance.

Georgie Warner, Otto’s mum, said the royals were “really kind” and put her children “at ease” during their short chat.

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge chat with Jasmine Warner, 5, (3rd L), who's brother Otto, 8, (L), has today come out of cancer treatment, with sister Poppy, 10, (4th L), and mother Georgie (2nd L), as they arrive at Bath Spa station in Bath, in south west England, for a visit to Cleve Court Care Home to pay tribute to the efforts of care home staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, on December 8, 2020, on the final day of engagements on their tour of the UK. - During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by Ben Birchall / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BEN BIRCHALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The royal couple spoke to Jasmine Warner, 5, (3rd L), Otto, 8, (L), Poppy, 10, (4th L), and their mother Georgie (2nd L). (Ben Birchall/AFP)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge chat with Jasmine Warner, 5, (3rd L), who's brother Otto, 8, (L), has today come out of cancer treatment, with sister Poppy, 10, (4th L), and mother Georgie (2nd L), as they arrive at Bath Spa station in Bath, in south west England, for a visit to Cleve Court Care Home to pay tribute to the efforts of care home staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, on December 8, 2020, on the final day of engagements on their tour of the UK. - During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by Ben Birchall / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BEN BIRCHALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Otto finished cancer treatment on Tuesday 8 December and then had the chance encounter with the royals on the way home. (Ben Birchall/AFP)

Read more: Queen joined by members of Royal Family to give a Christmas thank you to key workers

The 43-year-old mum said: “It was just really lucky and wonderful that we were there and could meet them. We had no idea that was going to happen.

“It was really, really special. They were so kind and made a huge effort to speak to them and encourage them.

“They are so natural talking to children and put them at ease right away.

“We were delighted to ring the bell with all the nurses this morning, it was so emotional.

“We got in the car and this is the next thing that happened for Otto – and it came on the day of the first vaccines as well.”

Otto finished six months of chemotherapy, having five days of treatment every three weeks. He was being treated for anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), which had been spotted by his grandfather Dickie, who is a retired medic.

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wearing protective face coverings to combat the spread of the coronavirus, arrive at Bath Spa station in Bath, in south west England, for a visit to Cleve Court Care Home to pay tribute to the efforts of care home staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, on December 8, 2020, on the final day of engagements on their tour of the UK. - During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by Ben Birchall / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BEN BIRCHALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The couple were on their way to meet residents at a care home but made time to speak to people at the station. (Ben Birchall/AFP)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (C) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) wearing protective face coverings to combat the spread of the coronavirus, are greeted by Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw (L), as they arrive at Bath Spa station in Bath, in south west England, for a visit to Cleve Court Care Home to pay tribute to the efforts of care home staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, on December 8, 2020, on the final day of engagements on their tour of the UK. - During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by Ben Birchall / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BEN BIRCHALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
William and Kate were greeted by Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw (L), as they arrived at Bath Spa station. (Ben Birchall/AFP)

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Mrs Warner added: “Otto was in a lot of pain at night with tummy aches and my father knew something wasn’t right.

“We’re very lucky it was caught early and my dad saved his grandson’s life.”

Remarking on the support from the doctors and nurses on the ward, she said: “They gave us the most amazing and phenomenal treatment, we can’t thank them enough.

“My heart goes out to the other children and the other parents in there, I pray for all the other children.”

Otto was also with his sisters Poppy, 10, and Jasmine, 5, and grandmother Annie, as well as grandfather Dickie.

Watch: Prince William and Kate visit care home in Bath

Read more: Prince William admits he and Kate are struggling to make Christmas plans

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were on one of their last stops on the royal train tour which took them around the UK to thank volunteers and key workers and to meet a range of people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

In Bath they visited a care home where they spoke to some of the residents and carers about the last nine months.

From there they went to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where Kate was born, to thank medical teams for their work.

The tour ended with a Christmas gathering in Windsor Castle, which the Queen hosted, featuring music from the Salvation Army band.

The royal couple faced some criticism from ministers in the devolved nations for their trip, but Boris Johnson offered his support for the “morale boost” by the future king and his wife.

Watch: Prince William and Kate visit students at Cardiff Castle

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