A consultant from Hull who has dedicated his career to supporting people with headache and migraine has been recognised at this year’s Royal Garden Party.

Professor Fayyaz Ahmed, a consultant neurologist based at Hull Royal Infirmary, attended the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace yesterday in recognition of his public service.

Professor Ahmed chats with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

Professor Ahmed, who is also an honorary advisor with the British Association for the Study of Headache, a Trustee of the International Headache Society and the Migraine Trust, and a senior lecturer with Hull York Medical School, has made it his life’s work to promote research, to facilitate new treatments and to improve both public and professional understanding of headache and migraine.

He has also gone to great effort to raise the profile of Hull nationally and internationally, working with neurology colleagues to organise and host the biennial National Meeting on Headache in the city since 2005, attracting experts from across the globe.

Professor Ahmed says:

“About three weeks ago, my daughter told me I’d received a letter from Buckingham Palace. I thought she was joking until she placed the envelope in front of me, stamped with the official seal of the palace.

“The first thought that crossed my mind was that maybe I had made a mistake or one of my patients, who has royal connections, had lodged a complaint against me and the order was to revoke my British citizenship!

“Nervously, I opened the envelope quickly, and inside was an invitation card stating that, by order of His Majesty the King, I was invited to a Royal Garden Party, along with an entry ticket. I was utterly astonished and wondered what I had I done to deserve such an honour from the King.”

Being chosen to join a Royal Garden Party is still somewhat of a rarity. Just a handful of Royal Garden Parties are held each year, with around 8,000 people in attendance at each one, all representing a range of different backgrounds, organisations and public services from across the country.

“After becoming a professor in 2020, I had already fulfilled all the aspirations of my professional life. I had even been elected to the International Headache Society, so receiving this invitation was beyond anything I had ever imagined; a major honour.”

Professor Ahmed at Buckingham Palace

Arriving at Buckingham Palace by black cab, Professor Ahmed enjoyed two hours of entertainment, music, food and conversation in majestic garden surroundings.

He was able to shake hands with members of the Royal Family, including Prince William and Princess Kate, as well as Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. Professor Ahmed was also fortunate enough to meet Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and enjoy a chat about his clinical profession, how migraine runs in families and why women tend to suffer more than men.

“There was an impressive sense of order, respect and discipline at the event. Even though people didn’t know each other, they greeted one another as if they’d been acquainted for years,” Professor Ahmed continues.

“The palace staff were extremely polite, sincere, and friendly. They treated every guest with great respect and courtesy, and they continued to check in frequently to see if anyone needed anything.

“The royal refreshments included sandwiches, cream cakes, and pastries, along with tea and cold drinks. The weather was beautiful — 23°C with sunshine, perfect for a garden party and a walk around the lake and the grounds of Buckingham Palace which were simply stunning.”

At 6pm, the national anthem played again to mark the end of what had been a day to remember, and one which has been well-earned by Professor Ahmed over a long and dedicated career.